An emergency meeting of the Special Committee on Tuesday has decided to bring all the remaining 15 cantonments under the Nepal Army. The decision to this effect was taken following a protest by the disqualified combatants, who have been demanding guarantee of integration of the selected combatants and appropriate compensation to the disabled.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, who also heads the Special Committee, had ordered the halt in the regrouping processes, considering a possible confrontation between the combatants in the cantonments. The disqualified combatants had prevented the committee officials from entering the cantonments.
The UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal had proposed the deployment of the army to the cantonments during the meeting in the presence of top leaders of major four parties. The meeting endorsed a four-point decision and directed the government to make necessary arrangements for deploying Nepal Army personnel in all the 15 cantonments.
After the meeting the Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai called on the Nepal Army Chief Chhatraman Singh Gurung and directed him to implement the SC’s decision. He asked the army chief to work with the spirit of integration and assist in the peace process.