National
Province 2 likely to see heavy police presence during local elections
The government has categorised eight districts of Province 2 as “sensitive” and is set to deploy security personnel there in huge numbers for local level elections set for May 14.Manish Gautam
The government has categorised eight districts of Province 2 as “sensitive” and is set to deploy security personnel there in huge numbers for local level elections set for May 14.
After several meetings held in the past weeks, officials have concluded that Bara, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Parsa, Rautahat, Saptari, Sarlahi and Siraha of Province 2 are “sensitive” in the wake of a decision by the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, an alliance of seven Madhes-based parties, to boycott and disrupt polls.
On March 6, police opened fire on Morcha supporters at Maleth of Saptari for trying to disrupt the CPN-UML’s election rally. Five protesters died.
On March 8, the Morcha, which is angered by the government’s failure to address its demand of constitution amendment, served a seven-day ultimatum to the government to address its demands. It has decided to intensify protests.
Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav on Friday called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s to take stock of the situation.
Although the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) is yet to complete its “sensitivity analysis”, a meeting held at the Armed Police Force Headquarters on Saturday concluded that eight districts of Province 2 are likely to witness “anti-election activities”.
The meeting also discussed possible threats from the armed outfits.
During major national events, including elections, the government conducts security analysis and categorises districts as “most-sensitive” and “sensitive” zones and deploys security situation accordingly.
“We are still continuing the sensitivity analysis,” said Bal Krishna Panthee, spokesperson for MoHA. “So far we have completed analysis of 40 districts. We will make public how districts are categorised after completing analysis of all 75 districts.”
He, however, refused to comment when asked about the districts of Province 2, saying “security details cannot be revealed”.
Rs 8b sought to hire temporary cops
KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) has sought Rs 8 billion to hire 75,000 temporary police personnel for local level elections.
The Ministry of Finance, however, is yet to give its consent. The government has decided to hire temporary police, who are called “Myadi Prahari”, for two months in view of local elections.
“Once the Ministry of Finance gives the nod to our proposal, we will present it before the Cabinet for endorsement,” said Bal Krishna Panthee, spokesperson for MoHA. The government has already made it clear that the temporary cops will not be deployed in the districts categorised as sensitive. The government has decided to deploy 226,000 personnel for polls. (PR)