Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has said the progress on peace process has moved irrevocably and history will not forgive the ones who try to disrupt it. In a televised address to the nation on Thursday, PM Bhattarai praised the Nepal Army and the Maoist Army for their understanding and flexibility shown in the integration process. “On behalf of the government and the nation I would like to thank you and congratulate you,” he said.
Seven months after Bhattarai was elected as the PM, the Maoist combatants were brought under the NA this week. Earlier on Tuesday, the NA took charge of all 15 cantonments . “The main task of integration is complete and the parallel militatary structure in the country has ceased to exist,” he said.
Bhattarai had promised to complete the peace process and constitution drafting within 45 days after being elected but was left wanting after the major parties disagreed on numbers, norms and the ranks in the integration of the combatants. “The integration process has almost been completed. Only the technical aspects remain to be finalised,” he said. “It is a historical achievement and the we will not back out now.”
In a half an hour address to the nation, he gave a long a list of government activities and expressed his commitment to constitution writing. “In capacity of the government head, I am ready to carry out all the responsibilities to promulgate the constitution within the scheduled date,” he said. He also emphasised on the need of national unity government comprising of the all major political parties to conclude the peace and constitution writing process. "Even though I was elected as the prime minister through a majority process, I am always in favour of national government," said Bhattarai.
He also informed that the Commission on Disappearance and Truth and Reconciliation would be formed through due process within few weeks.