Nepal concludes army integration

KATHMANDU: Army integration, an important aspect of the peace process, concluded on Monday after 70 former Maoist commanders were are formally appointed as the lieutenant of Nepal Army.

They were conferred the rank after the successful completion of officer-cadet training amid a grand program at the Nepali Military Academy in Kharipati, Bhaktapur on Monday.

Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Gaurav Shumsher Rana and Lieutenant Generals Pawan Bahadur Pandey and Netra Bahadur Thapa conferred insignias to these cadets.

The army officer course comprised of a nine months standard Nepal Army course. Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of the Interim Election government, Khilraj Regmi called on the cadets to work in favor of the nation and its people.

Of the 71 former combatants selected for the officer’í rank in September, one could not complete the military training owing to his ill health.

Altogether 66 males and four female fighters completed the nine-month training at the Kharipati Academy.

Out of 70 officer-cadets, one will be given the post of colonel, two will be promoted to the post of lieutenant colonel, 16 to the post of major, 30 as captains and the rest 21 will continue as lieutenants.

All 70 officer-cadets should join a three-month bridging course before they are given the higher posts as per the earlier decision.

Earlier, after completing the seven-month training, a total of 1,352 former combatants had already entered the junior ranks of the national army in July.