PLA 2nd phase verification starts from Ilam Cantonment

The much awaited second phase of the verification of the Maoists' arm and armies has begun Tuesday afternoon in the Maoist cantonments of Chulachuli in Ilam.

A 120-member Joint Monitoring Coordinating Committee (JMCC) team is working on the verification process.

A reports said, Maoist deputy commanders Pasang, Baldev and the United Nation Mission in Nepal   (UNMIN) expert Jan Eric Wilhemsen also reached the Chulachuli to facilitate the process.

The verification process which was scheduled to start at 10 this morning began only in the afternoon at 2 due to discussions between the Maoist deputy commanders and division leaders and UNMIN representatives, said the report

The verification will be completed in a week's time. Then gradually the Maoist arms and armies at other cantonments across the country will be verified, the report quated Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) 1st division commander, Parwana as saying.

According to Parwana, there are a total of 3221 PLA fighters and 3428 weapons at the main cantonment in Ilam.

There are 30,852 PLA fighters altogether in the entire main and satellite cantonments across the country.

As per an earlier agreement, those recruited into the Maoist army after May 25 last year when the ceasefire code of conduct was signed and those below 18 years of age will be removed from the cantonments during the second phase of verification.

Earlier, the decision to begin the second phase of the verification was reached during a meeting between UNMIN chief Ian Martin, Maoist Chairman Prachanda and deputy commanders of PLA on Sunday.

This second phase of the verification process was delayed last week following the murder of Maoists' senior youth leaders by the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) cadres in Rupandehi.