Though sporadic clashes between cadres of political parties have been reported recently, the security agencies are all set to take the responsibility of ensuring security during polls as envisioned by the Integrated Security Plan of the government. [break]
With the CA polls approaching in just 25 days, Nepal Army (NA), Nepal Police and Armed Police Force (APF) personnel have been deployed in all constituencies across the country. NA personnel have already begun patrolling and providing security to prisons, airport and other vital installations.
“Security personnel have covered all areas except a few remote areas. But NA personnel will be there within a few days,” said Brigadier General and Spokesperson for Jagadish Chandra Pokharel.
“Our presence has boosted the morale of voters and we have noticed that perceived threats in various parts of the country have already been reduced,” said Pokharel. Nepal Army has also held interactions with the public on difficulties and challenges facing the elections. According to intelligence reports gathered by NA, the situation in the “sensitive” and “highly sensitive” areas is satisfactory.
Earlier, internal evaluation made by the government had categorized 16 districts of Tarai and some districts of the eastern hills as “highly sensitive” areas. Likewise, more than 3,850 polling stations have been listed under “sensitive” areas.
The Integrated Security Plan that was submitted to the EC and other government agencies had identified activities carried out by underground armed outfits and criminal groups, anti-election political parties and ethnic organizations and disqualified former combatants as the major threats facing the elections.
Misuse of small arms in the Tarai districts and challenges posed by the criminals taking advantage of the open Nepal-India border had also been identified as other threats to the elections. Bara-based CPN-UML candidate under the first-past-the-post electoral system was shot at in broad daylight in the district. He died a few days ago while receiving treatment at TUTH, Maharajgunj. After his death, his wife Nazma Alam Khatun has filed her candidacy from the same constituency.
Likewise, Chairman of the Interim Election Council Khil Raj Regmi on Wednesday instructed government ministers and top officials to take stern action against government officials failing to carry out their duties. After the home minister informed him about unlawful activities of temporary police and incidents of the clashes between cadres of various political parties, Regmi also instructed the security officials to take action against them.
As an overwhelming majority of the political parties are prepared for elections and the voters keen on casting their votes, the security agencies have the responsibility of ensuring that the polls are held in a free and fair manner, said Spokesperson of Nepal Police and DIG Nawaraj Silwal.
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