Former PLA members left in state of neglect

BY BOM LAL GIRI,Nawalpur, Jan. 8: Hattikhor in Nawalpur is a camp established by the then CPN-Maoist Army. Later, after the restoration of the peace process, Sewa Dal battalion of the Nepali Army began camping there. The camp has been beautified by planting and colouring trees and constructing pathways, sports arenas and courts. 

Meanwhile, outside the camp's gate, there is a settlement in miserable condition. This settlement is home to former Maoist combatants who left the 

army after the People's Liberation Army (PLA)’s adjustment into the Nepali Army.

Most of the houses here have only two rooms with tin roofs. The area lacks adequate water supplies and is filled with dirt as hens roam freely, the roads are unpaved and materials for thatching like dried Sal leaves are scattered around.

Kumar BK, 45, from the settlement is suffering from an illness that has impaired his ability to speak properly. While visiting him, he was found just staring at the camp he and his fellow combatants built. He was wearing worn-out, dirty clothes and his hair was unkempt and matted. It looked like his toenails hadn't been cut for a long time.

Nearby, there was a spinning wheel used for making thread, idle since he fell ill and now covered in dust. When asked about his illness, he replied, "I don't know." 

"Have you had a medical check-up?" I inquired. "I went to the Nawalpur Hospital once, but I haven't been able to afford to go back. So, I haven't had any further check-ups," he said. "What's wrong with you?" I asked again, curious. "I often get dizzy," he answered briefly.

He introduced himself as 'System', a name given to him by his party. In the past, he was a section commander of the then Maoist Army and now lives permanently in Hattikhor by building a small shelter and purchasing a plot of land with Rs. 500,000 provided after the PLA adjustment. Originally, he was from Rolpa.

BK fought battles in Khara, Holeri, Chitrebhanjhyag and other places as a Maoist combatant for many years. He nearly lost his life in a battle in

 Palpa. Despite risking his life for the party, he now lives in misery, as he did not failed to maintain relation with the party outfit. 

He said, "I love my party, but no one from the party has ever come to inquire about me. Even my fellow combatants who fought alongside me are no longer associated with the party."

Next to BK's house is the home of Dal Bahadur Nepali, another Maoist combatant, from Parbat. He has been in Saudi Arabia for the last three years leaving the house to his son and wife.

Sarita, Nepali's wife, runs a chatpate (Nepali snacks comprising a mixture of instant noodles and vegetables with a sour taste) stall. She hesitated to speak to me and when asked about her husband's party-given name, she got angry and refused to answer. Meanwhile, Nepali's son said that his father was no longer in the party. Likewise, Dil Maya Magarati, wife of Maoist combatant Shyam Lal Magarati, also expressed dissatisfaction with the party. She informed that her husband had been actively involved as a Maoist combatant for an extended period. She said that her husband who had been severely sick had just recovered after spending Rs. 300,000  in treatment. 

She said, "My husband is now old, illiterate and almost died due to sickness. We have abandoned the party since our personal suffering remained with us despite the numerous rallies and struggles. While the leaders have climbed up the political ladder, we are still where we used to be."

Another combatant Saroj BK of Dang has also a house in the settlement. But, it was locked when I arrived on Saturday noon. I tried to update myself about the situation of the former Maoist combatants in the settlement but found none besides Kumar BK. Locals nearby informed that some combatants had gone abroad, some had migrated to the hills, while others present were visiting church and engaged in prayers at the time. 

In the first Constituent Assembly elections after the peace process, the CPN-Maoist was the largest party. Though the PLA army was integrated into the Nepali Army, many combatants were left out of the process due to illiteracy. Those left out combatants were key in conducting the election. Since the party had not shown any interest in those left out combatants, it resulted in a reduction of the parliamentary seats in the second Constituent Assembly election. 

Meanwhile, in-charge of CPN (Maoist Centre) Nawalpur Amar Tamu acknowledged that the local party leadership had been unable to pay attention to the left out combatants. He said, "I am not fully aware of the situation of the left out combatants in Hattikhor as I was appointed as an in-charge in the area only recently. I will discuss the issue with the party and will also draw its attention to the issue."