Kantipur Report NAWALPARASI, March 3 - Maoist People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has also entered the fray of recruiting new soldiers after the ruling five parties recently gave nod to the ongoing recruitment drive in the Nepal Army (NA).     The PLA fourth division camp at Hattikhor, Nawalparasi, began soldier recruitment drive beginning Tuesday with the aim of fulfilling the vacant posts of those Maoist fighters disqualified by the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN). Gangalal Gharti Magar, PLA vice commander at Hattikhor-based Paribartant Smriti Brigade, informed that the distribution of application forms has begun from Tuesday. He, however, did not reveal how many application forms were distributed on the first day. “How many forms were distributed is not the issue here. The recruitment process has started, that’s what matters,” he said. Signaling toward the ongoing recruitment in the NA, Magar argued, “If they can do it, then why can’t we? Who breached the code of conduct first?” PLA fourth division headquarters at Jhyaltungdanda is also poised to begin the recruitment process any time soon.  Vice Commander Ramlal Roka said, “We will begin right after we receive the directives from the center.” PLA seventh division camp at Kailali district has also decided to start recruitment drive to fill up the vacant posts of the disqualified soldiers. Assistant Commander Jiwan said that the division will announce vacancy in the PLA through local and national papers and media within a week.  “We’ll take in around 1700 combatants in the seventh division,” he said. “The recruitment was being initiated as per the decision of the high level PLA commanders after informing the party leadership. So, PLA won’t abide by anyone’s order to stop the recruitment, including of the Army Integration Special Committee.” Of the 32,250 registered Maoist army personnel, UNMIN has recognized 19,692 as the qualified PLA combatants.    Posted on: 2009-03-03 08:35:06 (Server Time)