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We trust our party
by SHITU RAJBHANDARI
| FROM ISSUE # 157 (January 2009) | IN THIS ISSUE | |||
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People's Liberation Army (PLA) entered the Nepali vocabulary in the year 2001 during the peak of the civil war that we lived through for 10 years. Once an armed wing of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), the PLA soldiers have been staying in cantonments around the country since 2006 and live a life almost similar to that of the Nepal Army. Most of them between the ages of 20-35, these young people are very politically aware, believe in the communist ideology and are determined to bring about change through it. WAVE this month brings to you a different set of ideas from the cadets of Jhyaltung Danda cantonment in Nawalparasi, to shed some light on the ideas of a part of the population that we normally view as the 'others'. 
Participants:
Ramlal Roka Magar (Madan), Vice commander
Khum Bahadur Lamsal (Sonam)
Nirmala Bantha Magar (Pratistha) Company commander
Ram Kumar Thapa (Mahan)
Rumangat Basiyar (Itihas)
Prem Prakash Oli (Binasak)
Ishwara Khatari (Niruta)
Durga Hamal (Samikchya)
How did you get involved in the 'people's war'?
Nirmala: I am from Rukum and was studying in grade 8 (she is now 26 years old) before I joined the PLA. The domination of the rich and powerful was at its highest then and I was once wrongly accused of being a Maoist and arrested for an attack in police station. My friend and I were put in a sack and were almost thrown off a cliff. After being released I wanted to know what being Maoist meant and I liked their ideology so I joined it.
Ram Kumar: I come from a very political family in Rolpa. They were all communist and at that time the Nepali Congress was in power and they wanted to wipe out the communists and be the dominating force. Seeing my brother who is my source of inspiration I joined the movement.
Rumangat: I joined the Nepal Army in 2007 but quit within 11 months as I didn't find a sense of belonging there. Coming from a poor family in Nawalparasi I then went to Hariyana in India to work as a wedding caterer but I hated the way they treated us there. So I came back because I felt the need for me in the country and joined the movement.
Khum: I joined the movement after the royal massacre in 2001 when I came across the party's policies and analysed the total situation of the country.
How do you pass your days in the cantonment?
Ramlal: There are basic trainings that go on every day. Those who haven't had the training do so for two months, the others are involved in repairing and maintaining the cantonment.
Ishwara: I am undergoing training at the moment so my days are busy. Along with it I have military classes.
Nirmala, Rumangat: We have both finished with the trainings. So we help with the training of the new cadets. 
Prem: I am in charge of the health care and nutrition for this cantonment.
What are your views on integration of the PLA into the Nepal Army?
Ramlal: We don't want to be assimilated into the Nepal Army because that will erase our identity. We want to be a part of the new army that should be created through the merger of both the armies.
Ram Kumar: I lost my eye and my right hand in one of the attacks. I was completely aware of the possible dangers when I joined the movement. I know that I might not be qualified to be integrated into the new national army if it's formed therefore feel that the state should provide us with an alternative.
Rumangat: After integration, if there are rules and policies that are formed then I have no problems with it. If not, I am more than happy here.
Khum: I lost a leg in one of the battles and if I am disqualified to be integrated then the injured soldiers in the Nepal Army should also be withdrawn.
Since most of the soldiers left formal education to be part of the people's war, how important do you think formal education is? 
Ramlal: The education system of today only teaches theoretical things whereas we learn of day to day practical things here.
Ishwara, Durga: We would want to continue with our studies but with the training and military classes we have no time to even think about education that is taught in schools.
Nirmala: There aren't any programs for formal education here in the cantonments but we do have classes that teach computers and language these days. Many cadets who have completed the trainings are taking these classes.
Is there a sense of remorse in you for all the lives you have taken to reach this far?
Durga: No, because many of our friends were killed as well.
Nirmala: We fought for a revolution and without it we cannot live now.
 RAM KUMAR |
Ram Kumar: My wounds still hurt even though the attack was in 2006 in Palpa. Even though the pricking sensation in my hand is there twenty-four hours, I am proud of the change we brought in the country.
If not integration into the Nepal Army or formation of a new army, what other options do you see for the PLA soldiers?
Ramlal: If the state wants us to then we are ready to go and help in the development sectors. History and the government can't ignore us and for the contribution we have made they will be compelled to sit up and take notice.
Khum: A political solution for it should be reached and whatever happens after that we will follow it.
Nirmala: I have complete faith in my party and am sure it has a good plans and policies for us, which I will follow.