The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (CPN-M) combatants who fought tough against "feudalism" during ten years armed conflict live sluggish life inside temporary cantonments and wished to work.
Many of the CPN-M combatants of People's Liberation Army (PLA) fifth division cantonment in Rolpa district of mid-western region, some 270 km northwest of Nepali capital Kathmandu, can no longer bear the lazy life inside tent camp.
"Lazy army can not serve nation," said Nepbahadur Kunwar "Bibek", assistant commander of PLA fifth division.
Bibek said PLA inside cantonments are living unproductive life killing their precious labor power. They seek to engage in development sector of country which may furnish them with alternative source of income.
"If government allows us to work in one or other way, it will increase our income as well as uplift our living inside tents," Bibek told Xinhua.
Nepali government is providing 3,000 Nepali rupees (some 40 U.S. dollar) to the PLA combatants as monthly salary but they complained the money was inadequate.
Out of 19,602 PLA members verified by United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) throughout the country, there are 2,440 living inside temporary cantonments under UNMIN's supervision in the fifth division waiting for integration and rehabilitation process since 2006.
Among seven temporary cantonments, fifth division cantonment is regarded as one of the remote located at remote hilly region where temperature falls below zero degree Celsius during winter.
Young combatants in Jwar Brigade and Sunil Brigade of fifth division cantonments spend their days in sports to kill time. "Life inside cantonment appears as torture camp for us," said a group of male combatants playing volley ball.
According to Kulbahadur Nath "Mahan", Brigadier commander of Jwar Brigade, CPN-M active combatants are living miserable life inside cantonments due to lack of adequate facilities.
"Our spare time can be utilized in development work so that concept of 'New Nepal' will be functioning," said Mahan pointing out newly constructed road way by combatants during conflict period.
The CPN-M combatants constructed "Martyrs' Road" on their own which in present Nepali government is working further. The CPN-M started their armed conflict from Rolpa district in 1996 by attacking police booth in Holeri village.
Mahan requested government to use their labor power in such construction work until the process of integration and rehabilitation start by developing certain condition. "Living inside camp for long time and being idle are not good for us if we got integrated in 'National Army'", he added.
Source:Xinhua
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