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Hopes rise over peace deal with ex-rebels

Agreement decides future of former Maoist insurgents but doubts remain
Hopes rise over peace deal with ex-rebels
Published: November 02, 2011 08:28 AM GMT
Updated: November 02, 2011 09:27 AM GMT

People have expressed renewed hope after the country’s main political parties worked out the final part of peace deal that will decide the future of former Maoist combatants. The agreement announced yesterday brings to an end years of wrangling over what to do with the former communist rebels. A peace plan formulated six years ago between the Maoists and the government stalled over how to integrate around 19,000 Maoist soldiers into the country’s armed forces. Under the terms of the agreement, around 6,500 former fighters, who are in government-run camps, will become part of the national army. The others will get compensation amounting to between US$6,300 to $10,200. All weapons will be handed over to the state. In addition, property seized by Maoists during the long-running civil war will be returned to the original owners and a peace and reconciliation commission will be established by the end of the month The Constituent Assembly’s term will also be extended another six months to thrash out a new constitution. The agreement has raised hopes among many that Nepal can now put the war and disputes in the past and finally move forward. But Nepal's (Catholic) Bishop Anthony Sharma said: "It is too early to  comment on the peace accord as an important (Maoist) faction is not happy. We have to wait for a day or two to see if this deal comes to be really accepted." "We’ve been praying for this at practically every Mass and prayer service for years now. We hope a new constitution can now finally be written," said Gyan Rai, head of Nepal's Couples of Christ movement. Pro-Vicar, Father Pius Perumana, who is also director of Caritas Nepal, expressed his delight. "I am very happy but hope they really stick to what they have agreed. We need to move forwards." Others though are more pessimistic. "This deal has been signed hastily. Some Maoists leaders are not happy as they feel the deal has been signed without the consent of the whole leadership,” said Pastor Kali Bahadur Rokkya, an executive member of Nepal's national human rights commission. He said there are some elements among the Maoist leadership that believe the former fighters could have been offered a better deal and the imminent break-up of the rebel army could see moves to implement a constitution similar to the old one.

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