Kathmandu: Sharp differences have come to the fore among the Nepalese political parties on the complex issue of integrating 19,000-strong former Maoists rebels into the army, with many politicians sensing in the move a threat of dilution of the force.

Most of the political parties barring the dominant Maoists party are opposing the merger and some like Madhesi groups even gone to the extent of demanding a proportionate representation of the community in the armed forces. The main opposition Nepali Congress has rejected the idea raising the ire of the defence minister and Maoist leader Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal, who threatened to use force to suppress the opponents of the integration move.

Senior leader of CPN-UML K P Sharma Oli has expressed the view that instead of integrating the Maoist combatants in the national army, management of the Maoist combatant is needed. "It is not possible to integrate the Maoists army into the national army, but some of the combatants, who are qualified and willing can join the army,"  Sharma, also leader of the second largest coalition partner, said. He also criticised defence minister for the language of threat against those opposing the idea of integration.

"The threat by Defence Minister to suppress the opponents by using the army is irresponsible and autocratic remark," he said. Meanwhile, Nepali Congress acting president Shushil Koirala said his party will stir against the army integration. "The Maoist combatants are not equal to the national army and they should be given choice of either to join the national army or to be rehabilitated. Only those willing to join and those meeting standard norms and qualifications should be included in the national army," he pointed out.

Source : PTI