Sharma to head PLA management

Bala Nanda Sharma, a former Nepal Army general, has been named to head the secretariat meant to oversee the management of the PLA.

The Special Committee unanimously endorsed Sharma to head the secretariat, ending a two-month long tussle over the post. The NC and UML had floated Sharma's name while the UCPN (Maoist) had insisted PLA deputy commander Nanda Kishor Pun 'Pasang' be made the coordinator of the secretariat.

The political parties had agreed to form a 12-member Special Committee and set up a secretariat in September. The committee, comprising representatives of political parties and the security forces, is supposed to oversee the management, integration and rehabilitation of PLA combatants.

The committee had not been able to proceed due to the delay in the appointment of the coordinator and the absence of representatives from the Maoists. The Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have already sent their representatives.