http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=194989

KATHMANDU, May 19 - If the Constituent Assembly endorses one of its sub-committee's concept papers and enshrines the recommendations in the new constitution, all able Nepali citizens will be conscripted into the Army at the age of 18. The conscripts will have to undergo compulsory military training for a period of two years.

The 11-member subcommittee formed by the National Interest Preservation Committee of the Constituent Assembly has proposed the provision for compulsory military training and service for all adult Nepali citizens. The concept paper on national security and Nepal Army was finalised on Monday by the sub-committee headed by CPN-UML lawmaker Rabindra Adhikari.

“All able citizens who have completed 18 years of age should participate in phase-wise military training and service for two years and those men and women who are not interested due to religious belief and other convictions should perform alternative service,” the concept paper says. The subcommittee has concluded that compulsory service and training will be an asset to protect the country's national security because all citizens can be mobilised when the need arises. “We can create a small professional army equipped with modern infrastructure and technology after we introduce compulsory service provision in the Army,” reads the report. The decision will also address the concerns raised by different ethnic and linguistic groups regarding inclusion in the Army. Around 25 countries in the world including France, Switzerland, Israel and China have compulsory military service for their citizens.

Outlining policies to be adopted to strengthen security agencies, it urges amendment of the present structure of the National Defence Council (NDC). Experts, security advisors and bureaucrats will be involved in formulating new NDC strategies. National Intelligence Service will be directly under the council of ministers and will evaluate national and external security threats. The sub-committee has urged for separate commissions in the Army, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force to decide on recruitment and promotions.

Posted on: 2009-05-18 23:27:29 (Server Time)