A seven-point agreement was reached between the three major parties UCPN (M), Nepali Congress, UML, and United Democratic Madhesi Forum (UDMF) to complete the peace process and take the constitution-drafting process forward. It paved the way for a more substantial basis for completing the peace and constitution-drafting process than previous agreements.

There was increased trust between parties as there was progress in the peace and constitution-drafting process. While the preceding agreements had been limited to the three parties, UDMF was also involved in this agreement. This agreement has brought major political forces onboard. The agreement mentions integrating 6500 Maoist combatants under a directorate under the Nepal Army. The agreement also specifies that the directorate will have 65 per cent from the security forces and 35 per cent from the Maoist combatants. The directorate is tasked with development works, forest protection, industrial security, and disaster relief.
The Maoist combatants opting for integration will have to fulfil the criteria of the security forces but the parties have agreed to be flexible regarding their age, education, and marital status. The parties have also agreed to provide NRs. 600,000 to 800,000 as rehabilitation package and NRs. 500,000 to 800,000 to those opting for voluntary retirement.

The agreement was endorsed by the standing committee of UML and joint meeting of the central committee and parliamentary party of Nepali Congress. Leaders of UCPN (M), Congress, UML, and UDMF called the agreement historic and a step in the peace and constitution-drafting process.
UCPN (M) vice-chairperson Mohan Vaidya and general secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa have expressed opposition to the agreement. In a press conference the day after the agreement, the Vaidya faction called the agreement against the decision and policy of the party. Vice-chairperson Vaidya said the agreement had undervalued the People’s Liberation Army and this has been a betrayal for the country, people, revolution, and change. General secretary Thapa called the day of the agreement as being a black night for the community movement and the People’s Liberation Army.

The work on the peace and constitution-drafting has move ahead despite objections from the Vaidya faction. Army Integration Special Committee (AIC) finalised the timetable for army integration and classification and also directed its secretariat to prepare a work plan for voluntary retirement and rehabilitation package. In the Constituent Assembly, the sub-committee under the Constitution Committee decided to form an experts’ group to study state restructuring and also formed a working group of Agni Kharel, Laxman Lal Karna, Radheshyam Adhikari, Khimlal Devkota, and Sapana Pradhan Malla to study the dispute among parties regarding the form of the government and election system. The subsequent meeting of the Constitution Committee endorsed the decision of the sub-committee. The government also registered a bill at the parliament secretariat for 11th amendment of the Interim Constitution to form an experts’ group instead of the State Restructuring Commission.

In the meeting of the three parties, UCPN (M) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal stated that he would issue an internal directive from the party and the government to return the seized properties and land, which was issued to organisations under the party.

Major Developments