1,445 combatants pass written exam

CHANDNI HAMAL
CHITWAN, Sept 20: Altogether 1,445 former Maoist combatants have passed the written exam -- a major step toward integration into the Nepal Army (NA).
According to NA Spokesperson Ramindra Chhetri, only 15 former Maoist combatants have failed the written exam.
Thirteen of the failed combatants are from the Sindhuli-based second division cantonment. The other two are from Chitwan-based third division cantonment and Nawalparasi-based fourth division cantonment.
According to the secretariat of the Special Committee formed to oversee integration and rehabilitation of former Maoist combatants, of a total 1,560 former Maoist combatants, who are still living in seven different cantonments by opting for integration, only 1,460 had participated in the written exam.
Altogether 86 former Maoist combatants are preparing to participate in another written exam to join the national army as officers. The remaining 14 former Maoist combatants did not sit for the written exam.
“All those who have passed the written exam will not qualify for integration into the NA,” said Balananda Sharma, coordinator of the Special Committee. “They will have to pass other exams like physical tests and interviews.”
The written exam for ex-rebels willing to join the national army as soldiers was conducted last Sunday. They were asked questions from seventh grade textbooks.
As per the NA guidelines, former Maoist rebels must be fifth grade pass-outs to join the national army as soldiers.
Similarly, they must be eighth grade pass-outs to join the army as officers. The final results of all the exams, including interview and physical test, will be published on September 29, according to Sharma. “Those rebels who pass all the exams will be given a 45-day leave before joining the NA,” he said.
from Republica