Casting doubt on the process of verification of Maoist combatants by the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN),Defence Minister Bidhya Bhandari demanded a reverification at a time when the UN body is lobbying for an extended term in the country. Even those who do not know how to use guns and weapons have been registered and verified as combatants, Bhandari told reporters on Monday while referring to the UNs verification process. Bhandaris comments come even as the UNMIN hopes for an extension of its term beyond the September 15 deadline. Bhandaris statement raises doubts over the role the UNMIN will play in the future even if its term is extended. The Maoist leadership fears a dilution in the UNMINs capacity and have warned that such a step would mean the end of the Peace accord. This could entail a return to arms for the Maoists. The Nepal Army,the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) have asked the government to ensure that the Army is no loner monitored by UNMIN. Currently,Maoist combatants are being kept in cantonments under the watch of the UNMIN. The two Armies can not be treated at par and even it UNMIN stays the Army should be solely guided by the law of the land and not by the dictate of UNMIN, Bhandari said. Meanwhile,Caretaker Prime Minister Madhav Nepal discussed the issue of UNMINs term extension in separate meetings with ambassadors of Russia and China in Kathmandu. Both said they would respect the decision that the government would take,preferably on the basis of consensus, Rajan Bhattarai,the Prime Ministers aide on Foreign Affairs,said.
