UN starts registration and storage of Maoist weapons

The United Nations started registration and storage of Maoist weapons from Wednesday.

The office Ian Martin, the personal representative of the UN secretary-general to Nepal, said UN monitors started registration and storage of arms from the 3rd and 4th Divisional cantonment sites of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Chitwan.

UN arms monitors are on both sites, and supervised the registration and storage procedure. Four UN registration teams conducted the process with experts from UNDP in Afghanistan working with local Nepalese registrars, a press statement issued by Martin’s office said.

Jan Erik Wilhelmsen, the military advisor to Martin's office, said, "The first day of registration and storage of weapons at the 3rd and 4th Maoist cantonment sites went very well. I was present today at the Maoist 3rd Divisional cantonment site in Chitwan, and am pleased to report that there was excellent cooperation between the Maoist combatants, the UN monitors and registration team and the Interim Task Force."

Former Gurkha servicemen, who are working as the Interim Task Force, are assisting in the 24-hour monitoring in the rebel cantonments.

Final logistical preparations are underway in the remaining five Divisional cantonment sites so that registration can commence early next week. Verification and registration of the Maoist army will also be conducted along with weapons storage process. nepalnews.com mk Jan 17 07

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