Maoists' integration in National Army

Loads of debates and interactions have been going on at National and International arenas on the Issues of the integration of Maoists Combatants in the Nepal's National Army. To resolve this sensitive deal, plenty of seminars are being organized and the security experts of Nepal have been seen dwelling upon to express their concerns on various Public forums. Similarly the Maoists, other Politicians and civil societies have also been communicating their respective views and setting weird demands on the reintegration mechanism. But, it seems that none of the makers have clearly understood the true mechanism of the reintegration. This is the reason, why the Nepal's Peace process stakeholders are still unable to explore any viable and justifiable solution for Nepal's one of the most sensitive and fragile dilemma, which will decide the fate of New Nepal.

In my view, before making any decisions on the integration of Maoist combatants in Nepal's National Army, the policy makers should clearly understand the real meanings of reintegration. After having clear understandings, they must learn the lessons from other insurgency devastated countries in the world where the Ex-Combatants have been or, are being integrated in their National Armies. Especially clear understanding of the mechanism of DDRR (Demobilization, Disarmament, Rehabilitation and Reintegration) process is of paramount importance for Nepa.

I think reintegration should not be taken as such complexity as it is being experienced in Nepal. Simply, the DDRR formula itself clarifies that reintegration of combatants is the ending process of DDRR. Prior to the reintegration of combatants in the societies, they all must be completely demobilized from their related armed bands, then, they get disarmed, where their personal Arms, ammunitions and explosives are recovered, deposited and finally destroyed at public places. After having successfully completed the initial two phases (Demobilization and Disarmament) of DDRR, then only comes the question of combatants rehabilitation and reintegration. What must be very clear to all stakeholders that the reintegration of combatants means, their reintegration in the society; not in the Armed forces. So, I think, Nepal's makers are still dubious in this issue and they are having doubts over the reintegration of Maoists combatants in Nepal.

Security Sector Reforms (SSR) is also a hot topic being debated in downtowns. Though SSR is an important aspect of the post conflict scenario, but, in practice, it has been noticed that SSR is conducted only after the successful completion of DDRR process. So lets not hang on to this simple issue now. Get resolved the DDRR first. As far as the integration of the combatants in National Armies is concerned, it has been experienced that the integration of combatants in the armed forces has transiently resolved the conflict in those countries where the past conflicts had ransacked and disintegrated their armed forces and their National Armies are not capable of curbing further conflicts in those Nations.

Insurgency hit Nations, whose armed forces has remained intact, strong and pose the capability of controlling any kinds of National crisis have never integrated combatants in their National Armies. With this background, now one must be clear of the reasons, why combatants were integrated in the Armed Forces of poor countries like DR Congo, Guatemala, Mozambique and Angola. Dear think tanks; this is the reason that the freedom fighters of India led by late SUBASH CHANDRA BOSS, KHALISTAN Liberation Army (India) and the Irish Republican Army were not integrated in their National Armies.

Especially in Nepal's context; a bitter but white truth which all people should realize that, although the Nepalese Maoists did not surrender in front of the National Army, but the Maoists' Armed struggle was seriously annihilated by the operational activities of the Nepal's National Army. Maoists were forced to war game on the capability of the National Army and knew that the Nepal's National Army is still a strong, united, motivated and dedicated institution that they never will be able to defeat. Perceiving their dark future and fate, the Maoists looked for the safer, suitable and face saving exits and opportunity of quitting their armed struggles. National Army's Operational capability forced them to decide to land on the negotiation round tables and made alliance with the seven political parties and provided them chances of enjoying the Nepalese Cabinet and Ministries.

History has proven that all the insurgents have a most common interest, i.e. the disintegration of the National Armed forces, because it makes them easier in gaining control over the state and seizing of the power. Definitely, the Maoists must also have this strategy of ruining the environment of the National Army by politicizing it and ultimately wish to disintegrate it. Maoists have clearly understood that National Army in Nepal is the main obstacle which is hindering them in achieving their ultimate goal of establishing totalitarian communist regime in Nepal. In reality, the Maoists do not have the capability of disintegrating the National Army by their exterior actions. So, Maoists always wish to infiltrate their combatants in to the National Army and meddle it from inside. This is the reason, why they are insistently voicing for integration of their combatants in National Army and placed these issues as their main agenda of peace process.

Also the implications of reintegration process are most important to be visualized, because this process has its own nature which varies with the circumstances, traditions and prevailing environment of an individual Nation. There are no laid out universal obligations, common principles, theories and procedures of integrating combatants in any of the National Armies. It solely depends upon the circumstances and existing National Security situation of the concerned Nation. So, the reintegration mechanisms in practice in the world will not resolve the problems in Nepal, because, the circumstances and environment in Nepal is unique and totally different from any other insurgency infected countries in the World.

I further opine that the adjustment of the Maoists combatants in Nepal should not be seen as a merger of the Maoist combatants with the National Army, because they were not any part of National Army. Rather the adjustment should be seen as their reintegration in the societies of which the combatants were also a part. So, if the Nepalese Maoist combatants were not associated with the National Army, then how will they now be reintegrated in it? There are some other major aspects, which do not rationalize and favor the integration of Maoists combatants in Nepal's National Army. So the Decision makers should search for some other suitable options for reintegrating the combatants in to other sectors of society, but surly not in the Nepal's National Army. Other sectors could be Industrial security, Nature conservation, Community security, vital installation security, and foreign employment and miscellaneous suitable employments.

But, here I would also like to clarify that, when I say, the Maoist Combatants should not be integrated in National army, I surely don't intent that they can not serve in it. Yes the combatants are also the Nepalese citizens and they have all the fundamental rights to serve in their National Army. However, there are certain parameters the combatants have to clear to achieve their mission. Basic need is: the combatants must discard the Maoists ideology, be fully disarmed, show their commitments and dedication to the true service of the nation and should pose all the qualities and qualifications, meet all the criteria required to join the National army.

Politicians are advised that, making hasty political decisions of integrating the Maoist combatants in National Army may be a simple story for them. But, if the Nepalese thinkers and policy makers carry out any such decisions with out thorough analysis of the pro and cons of this sensitive process, Nepal will never attain a long-lasting peace and stability. I, can Guarantee it. Reintegration, in fact is a serious and deadly deal that requires detailed and sound home works followed by National consensus. Prior to make such sensitive decisions Policy makers should better see the prevailing National security situation in other conflict hit countries in the world those have practiced and experienced the real reintegration

Scenario of Democratic republic of Congo, Guatemala, Mozambique and Angola should suffice to gain ample knowledge and gather experiences about the problems and challenges, these countries are facing after integration of Ex- Combatants in their National Armies. Even the International agencies including UN have been noticed repenting now for the hasty decisions they made on Ex-combatants' reintegration in the Armed forces of these ill fated Nations. Armed forces of the countries that have hastily integrated combatants in their traditional institutions are now suffering.

They are experiencing frequent mutinies, deteriorating discipline and unforeseen horrendous incidents, because, the past vengeance and rivalries hidden among soldiers and combatants still exist. So their integrated units have not even been able to operate efficiently during operations also. But, nothing can be done now. It's too late to think. These deep rooted issues will remain unresolved till the nations completely get deteriorated. Not only this, these countries, any time in future may face further revolts of typical nature, also.

Nepal is also at the verge of making decisions about the reintegration of Maoists combatants, so this columnist wishes to throw some major suggestions and queries to Nepalese fate makers, before they come to the conclusions of deciding the integration of Maoist Combatants in Nepal's National Army. After having grasped these suggestions, if Nepalese farsighted and wise politicians still don't foresee any problems, then I must shut my precious mouth and should better wish them "best of lucks" for the success of their historic decisions in Nepal. Dear Nepal Makers:

1. since when the Maoist combatants were integrated in the Nepal's National army that they now need reintegration?

2. Maoist Combatants belong to a Political party and their organizational structures does not resemble with the National Army. Can't they tarnish the image of a completely apolitical Army?

3. With the strategy of planting radical Communism in Nepal by establishing Proletarian dictatorship, the Maoists started their past conflict and rose armed against the legitimate state. So what guarantee is there that these politically indoctrinated combatants will not repeat these sorts of illicit acts against the constitutional institutions in future?

4. Nepal's National army is purely a voluntary force. Solely with personal wishes, the Nepalese soldiers get enrolled in this institution. In contrary, the Maoists combatants' desires are controlled by their party policy and they also serve according to their party concepts. So, what will be the consequences, if the Combatants' integration politicizes the National Army, also?

5. National Army has its own laid down criteria, qualifications, rules and procedures, based on which the recruits and Officer Cadets are selected. But Maoists Party lacks this system. So, how will these problems be solved?

6. During a decade long bloody people's war, Maoist combatants have committed barbaric atrocities and their criminal mentality has still not been erased. So, how will they be merged freely with the pure and dedicated soldiers?

7. Maoists have still been insisting that their people's war has not ended yet. To achieve their ultimate goal, they are applying the dirty tricks and playing ploys. So these combatants will always remain indoctrinated and will be supporting their Party strategy, even while they remain integrated with the National army. What will be the results?

8 Maoists have their party policy of tying nuptial knots of their female combatants with their own male combatants. Due to this social bondage, all male and female combatants may not be politically isolated from their party in future also. Will not these circumstances bring complexity in Nepalese Army?

9. Will the National Army merged with the Maoists combatants always remain neutral?

10. What if, Nepalese Army soldiers get influenced by the combatants and start behaving like Young Communist League?

11. Commonly, Integration of the combatants suits only in weak Armies. So, is this the scenario in Nepal? Surely not, Nepal's national Army is still strong and was not defeated by the Maoists combatants either.

12. If the twin children of Mao and Lenin i.e. NCP (UML) and NCP (Maoists) which pose identical communists ideology but still are unable to harness party solidarity, then how will the two traditional rivals the National Army and the Maoists combatants with opposing ideology be merged together?

13. What will be the credibility of this reintegration where most of the Maoist combatants in the name of YCL are dwelling freely and enjoying the reign of terror out side the cantonments and their sophisticated weapons and explosives remained hidden under armed caches?

If the Maoists combatants are integrated in Nepal's National Army, then the UN including Human Rights watch dogs may blame the combatants for their past human right violations and ultimately they may restrict Nepal Army's participation in future UN Missions also.

16. Similarly Nepalese decision makers should not ignore the probability of the identical demands of other illicit armed groups activating in Nepal also. If Maoists combatants are merged with National Army, then these armed groups will definitely black mail the Government during future negotiations to integrate their combatants in National Army also.

By now, every Nepalese citizen must have understood that the Maoist problem is a purely political problem and there is no any Military solution to resolve it. So the problem of Combatants reintegration also should be resolved with the political means. It has nothing to do with the Military. With the past experiences and by analyzing the existing scenario of Nepal and capability and importance of Nepal's National Army, I clearly visualize that integration of Maoist combatants in the National Army will be disastrous and it will not resolve the crisis at any costs. Nepal's fate makers should rather understand that security situation of Nepal will periodically worsen, Nepal will always remain under turmoil and Nepalese people will never attain ultimate peace and stability in the country if they decide Maoists' integration in their National Army. Can any one imagine of these consequences? .

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