In violation of the 25-point ceasefire code of conduct, the Maoists have been continuing recruitments in their military, according to reports.
For new recruitments in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the Maoists have set up a ‘recruitment centre’ at Sindhiyatol of Motipur VDC in the eastern district of Morang, the Kathmandu Post reported Sunday. The rebels have also been running a training camp for the new recruits in the area.
The centre under the Ratna-Sakunta Memorial Brigade has already recruited some 450 youths who are being given military and political trainings. Sushil, secretary of the CPN (Maoist) in Morang, has confirmed that the recruitment in the PLA is ongoing. The recruitment centre has been set up on a 10 bigha private land, according to the report.
Meanwhile, the Ceasefire Code of Conduct National Monitoring Committee has said it has not received any complaints regarding the recruitments in the PLA.
Talking to Nepalnews, Tara Nath Dahal, a member of the monitoring committee, said the committee has been assessing media reports about military recruitments by the Maoists and other activities violating the ceasefire code of conduct.
“We have not received any complaint regarding military recruitment in the PLA. We can decide how react to this only after assessing the news reports,” he said, adding that violations of human rights have been more common on the part of the Maoists than the government while both sides have been making provocative statements against each other.
“The environment of trust is waning because both sides have not stopped issuing statements that provoke the other side. This is against the ceasefire code of conduct,” he said, adding, “The government has been very weak in maintaining law and order while violation of human rights at the ground level by the Maoists has been common.”
He said the 31-member committee was preparing to submit its second report, which includes the situation during the Nepali months of Shrawan and Bhadra. “We will point out these issues in the report and make necessary recommendations as per our mandate,” he said.