“People’s Liberation Army Won’t Stop Recruitment”
Posted by n3wday on March 8, 2009
This article was originally published on eKantipur.com originally entitled: PLA Commander: PM Doesn’t Count
DHANGADHI, March 7 – A commander of the Maoist People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said on Friday that PLA’s seventh division based in Bhangadhi would go ahead with recruitment, come what may.
“The PLA will not stop the recruitment even if the party Chairman and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal himself issues directives against the fresh intake. Not even comrade Prachanda can stop us,” said division commander Mahendra Bahadur Shahi as a local newspaper published the vacancy announcement in its Friday edition.
The division plans to recruit some 1,906 combatants. He said the PLA initiated the recruitment as the Nepal Army (NA) was taking in recruits. On Thursday, Dahal had said the recruitment controversies surrounding the NA and PLA would be over within a few days.
Revolution in South Asia 
Ben Peterson said
Hey all
This is probably the major issue at the moment here in Nepal, next too the Terai issues, but i am in KAthmandu, so they are a little bit out of sight out of mind.
I have written a piece on the issue, can be found here:
http://maobadiwatch.blogspot.com/2009/03/pla-recruits-what-is-future-of-peace.html
cheers,
Ben Peterson
Ka Frank said
An update on the recruitment of new soldiers by the 7th Division of the PLA. There is a clear sign of continuing struggle between the PLA and the forces in the government around Prime Minister Prachanda. Meanwhile, the NA has continued to recruit, claiming that it is only filling “vacancies” caused by retirement, etc.
nepalnews.com Mar 12 09
Seventh division of PLA continues recruitment process defying headquarter orders
Even after chief of the Maoist affiliated People’s Liberation Army (PLA) announced the immediate suspension of all recruitment processes, the seventh division of the PLA located in Talband in Kailali district has continued distributing applications, reports say.
Commander Nada Kishor Pun ‘Pasang’ had issued a press statement on Tuesday mentioning the PLA had suspended its recruitment process with immediate effect to uphold the directives of the Army Integration Special Committee and the stay order by the Supreme Court.
The division distributed some 500 application forms on Wednesday to interested youths-some of whom were disqualified by UNMIN during the second round of verification, it is learnt.
According to division commander Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, alias Prajjwal, the division has about 3,000 vacancies to be filled.
Green Red rev said
Most likely party wants it this way. Whatever attainable will be taken through legal roller coaster but when it is not doable, PLA is still there and only awaits for the call.
artemi0 said
Green Red Rev,
I agree, the political leadership of the party and the military- are different entities with a synergy between them.
Events unfolding are very complex. The PLA has pushed forward with it’s recruitment drive, and defended it publically despite statements from the party leadership that the recruitment drive should stop.
Below is a story from Nepal News. Defense Minister Thapa, aka Comrade Badal- has refused to extend the tenure of 8 NA Brigadier Generals.
The continuing recruitment drive by the PLA, coupled with the party’s political leadership actions of using the position of defense minister to break NA leadership and ranks-needs to be looked at closely. Is it part of an overall strategy? Can we take at face value isolated statements to the press divorced from these actions?
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2009/mar/mar16/news12.php
Nepal Army chief Rookmangud Katawal held separate meetings with President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa on Monday over the Defence Ministry’s refusal to extend the tenure of eight Brigadier Generals.
Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa (File Photo)
He first called on President Yadav at the latter’s office, Shital Niwas, to discuss the Defence Ministry’s decision and its ramifications. Katawal is known to have expressed serious reservation over the ministry’s decision saying it could create administrative complications in the army, especially in the promotion procedures of senior officials.
The eight Brigadier Generals, who will retire from today, are: Pradeep Bikram Rana, Pawan Bahadur Pandey, Kumar Budhathoki, Narendra Bahadur Rawal, Raju Pratap K.C, Ramesh Bista, Nara Bahadur Kandel and Shiva Poudel.
Chief of Army Staff of Nepali Army General Rookmangud Katawal (Photo source: DPR)
In a letter to the Defence Ministry on February 1, General Katawal had requested the ministry to extend their tenure by three years.
Meanwhile, during his meetings with Prime Minister Dahal and Defence Minister Thapa in the afternoon, the army chief is known to have complained about the ministry’s decision and urged them to reconsider it.
Brigadier Generals get retired after completing four years in the post, but the Army Act allows them to continue until 57 years of age provided the Defence Ministry extends their tenure. Most of the retiring Generals are said to be under 54 years. nepalnews