In a significant step forward,about 19,000 Maoist combatants lodged in various camps have been brought under the high-powered Special Committee headed by the Prime Minister,marking the end of the partys command and control over them. The event has been described by the international community as a commendable job by the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists (UCPN-M) who still figure in the US terrorist watch list. The change of command and control was formalised at a special function held in Shaktikhor in Chitwan district,170 km from here with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Maoists chief Prachanda releasing a joint statement. As per the provision of the interim constitution of Nepal,2007,we hereby declare that the Maoist combatants have been brought under the Special Committee. The event,attended by representatives of the UN and other diplomatic missions,was an outcome of an understanding between the Maoists and other political parties on the eve of the departure of the United Mission in Nepal on January 15.
