So the Maoists are going to release unqualified combatants unilaterally. Turns out, United Nations and the government are not crazy about sending them packing without seeking for a commitment that they will not involved them in any armed outfits later. Rajdhani reports:

“We want the Maoist to agree that unqualified combatants, including child soldiers, would not be engaged in any armed outfits,” Peace and Reconstruction Minister Rakam Chemjong said after his meeting with UNDP’s country representative Robert Piper.

The Maoists are releasing the combatants without any commitments, and have said they want UNMIN to monitor the process.

At this rate, the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants is going to face even more steep uphill battle. Republica reports that Nepal Army Club pulled out of a football tournament – with the biggest cash prize in Nepal – after it learnt of Peoples’ Liberation Army’s participation:

The army team pulled out of the event [British Gorkha Cup] immediately after the PLA’s participation was confirmed. However, the Nepal Army said NAC’s withdrawal was due to some ‘internal reasons’.

Obviously, the memories of war are not too far away for Nepal Army. It is also being bugged by Nepal Police who is seeking the custody of Major Niranjan Basnet. The Kathmandu Post writes:

Despite instructions from Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Saturday to produce Man. Niranajan Basnet, accused of the murder of Maina Sunuwar, before the court, the Nepal Army (NA) said on Sunday that “any decision regarding the case” can only be taken upon the return of Army Chief Chhatra Man Singh Gurung from his India visit.

If produced before the court, Basnet will be the first Nepal Army officer charged with human rights violations to face a civilian court.

Meanwhile, the Maoists’ are charging ahead with the announcements of new federal states. Tharuwan and Seti-Mahakali states were declared in western Nepal yesterday. This is enraging a lot of parties. Chairman of the Constitutional Committee Nilamber Acharya said they must be stopped. Republica quotes Acharya:

“Unilateral declaration of federal states is a path that will lead to the declaration of a new constitution from the streets, bypassing the Constituent Assembly. This must be stopped now.”

(Posted by Indu Nepal)