KATHMANDU, Nov 29: The Maoists´ People´s Liberation Army (PLA) is all set to celebrate its seventh anniversary at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu with much fanfare.
A general staff meeting of the PLA this week decided to hold competitive sports events among various clubs from PLA and outside to mark the seventh PLA Day. This is the first time that the PLA is celebrating its anniversary in Kathmandu.
“The PLA is making preparations to celebrate its anniversary in Kathmandu,” PLA commander Nanda Kishor Pun said speaking at a function in Kathmandu on Sunday. “We are offering large amounts of prizes for the winners in the sports events,” he added. The Maoists are also set to demonstrate military skills and parade during the program.
However, PLA spokesperson Chandra Prakash Khanal said they are yet to decide where to hold the first day celebration. "We will decide it in a couple of days," he said. Other sports clubs outside PLA may also participate in the sports events, he said.
The PLA had celebrated its last anniversary in Pariwartan Smriti Brigade in Hattikhor. Last year, President Ram Baran Yadav had turned down the Maoist invite to attend the celebration as the chief guest. Then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had attended the function as the chief guest and had told the PLA in his speech that they would soon come under the control of Special Committee for Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of the Maoist Army that would decide their fate. Back then Dahal was the chief of the special committee.
The PLA used to celebrate Nov 23 as the PLA Day after they stormed the army barrack in Ghorahi in 2001 on that day.
The government had declared a state of emergency and mobilized then Royal Nepal Army to fight the Maoist insurgents. Last year, the Maoists picked Feb 13 as the PLA Day in 2008.
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