Nepalese rebels leave UN camps

Nepal’s former communist rebel fighters began leaving the camps they have called home for five years yesterday after receiving government cheques as part of plans to integrate them into society.

Thousands of Maoist rebels have been living in camps across Nepal since 2006, when they abandoned their ten-year-old armed revolt and joined a peace process. Their fighters were moved to the UN-monitored camps, where their weapons were locked in metal containers.

Each will receive up to 800,000 rupees (£6,300), depending on their rank in the People’s Liberation Army.