Kathmandu, Dec 24 Nepali Army (NA) has expressed discontent towards criticisms made by the Maoists and the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) against what it calls as 'legitimate move to fill the vacant positions' within its organisation.

According to sources, Nepali Army spokesperson Brigadier General Ramindra Chhetri has said that it had opened recruitment to fill the 2000 vacant positions only after getting permission from the government.

"The recruitment process was initiated following the Article 126 (5) of the Interim Constitution," he added.

He further said that the Nepali Army had not created new positions but was filling only those positions that have become vacant due to various reasons.

Earlier, PLA deputy commander Chandra Prasad Khanal said PLA, too, would open recruitments if the NA goes ahead with the ongoing recruiting process.

His comment comes in the wake of rising controversy over the induction of the Maoist fighters into the state army.

The Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) formed in the leadership of Home Minister and UML leader Bam Dev Gautam has been unable to move ahead as the Nepali Congress (NC) has refused to join it demanding equal number of seats as the ruling Maoists, whose combatants are to be integrated into the Nepal Army.

The AISC will look after the thorny issue of integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants cantoned in various UNMIN-monitored camps, Nepalnews reported. (ANI)