One of the key features of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed in 2006 by the Maoists and
seven other major political parties, was the integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants. After
years of discussion on the written agreements and their interpretations, which were designed to facilitate
the decision-making process regarding the fate of Maoist combatants, the situation of having two armies
in one country finally came to an end in 2013. However, there is no clear mechanism to observe and
monitor the ex-combatants after providing them with voluntary retirement packages. It is important to
understand the extent to which their aspirations for a better society have been met, or to what extent
they experienced changes in the social, political and economic order of Nepal, since the programme of
integration and rehabilitation commenced. And with over 15,000 trained and ideologically influenced
combatants opting to retire, there is fear of a growing number of new armed ethno-political and criminal
groups, who may be eager to recruit militarily trained and politically aware Maoist cadres.