In a shocking revelation, it appears that the actual strength of theMaoist People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was between 7,000 and 8,000 andnot 35,000 as reported by Maoists before United Nations Mission inNepal (UNMIN) started the verification process.
In a video telecast by Kathmandu-based Image Channel Monday afternoon,Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal is seen telling PLA combatants in ameeting at Shaktikhor located cantonment in Chitwan how the partyswindled all into believing that the number of PLA was 35,000 when itwas actually not more than 8,000, ultimately leading to the increase inPLA’s strength rather than its reduction as has been assumed.
Dahal is seen further justifying the inflated figure in the video which thechannel claimed was from January 2, 2008 when the Maoists were animportant constituent of the Girija Prasad Koirala led interimgovernment
“We were (PLA’s strength)somewhere between 7,000 and 8,000. If we had reported the correctfigure of the PLA, then it would then have been reduced to around4,000.”
“But our party’s leadershipdecided to report PLA strength as 35,000, and thanks to it the PLA’sstrength is now 20,000 at least,” he said smilingly, evoking peels oflaughter around him.
“So our strength has actually increased. You and I know the truth, but why should we tell it to others.”
He said the apart from the PLA, which he said is now already a “regulararmy”, the party has also formed YCL comprising thousands of youthsdespite various difficulties and “who now add to our strength”.
The Maoist chairman also revealed that a significant share of the moneythat will go to “our martyrs” in villages throughout the country andthe PLA in cantonments will be used by the party to prepare for revoltand ultimately capture the state.
“Youall know that if we have enough money in our hands we can prepare agood battle plan. So, the party needs a good amount of money for therevolt,” he said.
He further saidthat though the party may appear to have again reached a compromise(with the state and political parties), “but if you look deeply thenyou will know how seriously the party is preparing for the ultimaterevolt”.
Thereafter, Dahal talkedabout the difficulties that exist in the wholesale integration of PLAcombatants into the Nepal Army (NA).
Claiming that PLA combatants are “politically aware”, he said even a smallnumber of their entry into NA is enough to establish complete Maoistcontrol over the army.
This was why Army chief Rookmangud Katawal was against our soldiers entry into the army, he said.
Meanwhile, in reaction to the airing of the footage, cadres of the Unified Maoistaffiliated Young Communist League gathered outside the Image Channel TVpremises at Lazimpat in the evening and shouted slogans against the TVmanagement. They dispersed after the police arrived.