U.N.: Nearly 31,000 former rebels confined to camp as part of Nepal peace process

By Binaj Gurubacharya ASSOCIATED PRESS February 23, 2007 KATMANDU, Nepal – Some 30,852 former communist rebel combatants have been registered in camps where they are confined as part of a peace process to end conflict in Nepal, a senior U.N. official said Friday. Ian Martin, U.N.'s chief official in Nepal, also said 3,428 weapons held by the Maoist rebels have also been locked up as part of the peace deal between the guerrillas and the government. The arms included automatic weapons, mortars, rifles and machine guns. The rebels agreed to a peace process last year and joined a temporary parliament in January. They are set to join an interim government that is to conduct this year's elections. Martin said the first phase of the registration of these combatants have been completed and the second phase is expected to begin soon. “The weapons and ammunition stored at the seven Maoist army main cantonments are locked in storage containers furnished with shelves for safe weapons storage and easy control with a complete inventory,” Martin told reporters in Katmandu. However, he said there were concerns some facilities might not have adequate security. Earlier this week, hundreds of these former combatants stormed out of one of the main camps in south Nepal, protesting lack of shelter, food and supplies. Most returned back to the camp on Friday. Abhiral, a local rebel commander who goes by one name, said all those who had left the camp in the southern town of Chitwan on Wednesday had returned after receiving instructions from their leaders. Abhiral said the living conditions were miserable, and it had become impossible to remain at the camp. Many former guerrillas have been living in shelters made of straw and leaves, he said. Heavy winter rains last week worsened conditions. But Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat said the government has already $5 million for food, clothing and other essentials, and another $4.2 million for infrastructure such as roads, electricity and drinking water. “The money is enough to feed and maintain the Maoist combatants for months,” Mahat said. “We have provided the basic facilities in the seven main camps, but work is progressing in the satellite camps.” Martin, the U.N. representative, visited some of the camps last week and urged the government to immediately improve conditions. The government and rebels signed a peace agreement in November, halting a decade-long communist insurgency that killed more than 13,000 people. Under the deal, thousands of former guerrillas are being housed until elections later this year in seven main camps and 21 smaller “satellite” camps after turning in their weapons, which are locked up under U.N. supervision. The rebels joined a temporary parliament in January, and are set to join an interim government that is to conduct this year's elections.