They experienced the horrors of warfare while still in their teens and now in their 20s Nepal's former Maoist child soldiers are facing further distress.
Thousands remain in UN-monitored camps, having been disqualified from serving in the country's security forces.
The Maoists are demanding compensation from the government, while the government says the Maoists are using the former child soldiers for political purposes.
Al Jazeera's Tony Birtley reports from Nepal.
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