A joint inspection team comprising the United Nations and representatives of the government and the CPN (Maoist) visited a proposed cantonment site in the eastern hilly district of Ilam on Saturday.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Pradeep Gyawali, UN security expert Jan Erik Wilhemson, secretary at the Defence Ministry Bishnu Dutta Upreti and Maoist deputy commanders Nanda Kishor Pun ‘Pasang’ and Baldev inspected the proposed cantonment area at Danabari, where the First Division of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will be kept.

Nearly 5000 PLA members will be settled in the main cantonment in Danabari, which is some 50km from the district headquarters, and three tributary cantonments in surrounding areas. Santu Darai ‘Parwana’ is the commander of the division.

The inspection team returned from the area today itself, First Division’s commissar Sudarsan told the media.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway to settle the combatants of the Fourth Division of the PLA in Humin VDC of the western district of Palpa. Reports said a joint inspection team is set to leave for Palpa on Sunday. Hundreds of PLA men have already gathered around the proposed cantonment area, reports said.

As per the agreement between the seven-party alliance and the Maoists, there will be seven main cantonments along with 21 tributary cantonments where the PLA members will be kept along with their weapons under close monitoring of the UN. The cantonments have been proposed in Ilam, Palpa, Kavre, Sindhuli, Surkhet, Rolpa and Kailali districts.