Kathmandu, April 15
Minister for Home Affairs, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, has directed security agencies to ensure a smooth supply of cooking gas and other petroleum products so that people do not have to queue up for these things.
Minister Basnet issued this directive while inaugurating a daylong workshop on special security for the Kathmandu Valley, at the Police Club in Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu, on Friday. The workshop is taking place at a time when Madheshi Morcha (United Democratic Madheshi Front) is stepping up preparations for a capital-centric movement.
The blockade ended long ago, he said, pointing that this situation, where people have to queue up for gas and oil, should end.
Basnet, addressing senior officials of the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department, said: The supply of these items has been smooth. But people have not been getting these things due to poor supply management. There’s a need for discussions on putting an end to this situation by all possible means.
Security challenges have increased after the introduction of the constitution, he pointed, adding: Currently, there’s a polarisation between forces seeking to implement the constitution and forces seeking to obstruct its implementation. In a situation like this, discussions should focus on what type of security arrangements can be effective.
He said: There’s a need to give a new lease of life to security agencies at a time when Madheshi Morcha is making preparations to launch a Capital-centric movement after waging a four-month-long Madhesh-centric movement.
Coordination between security agencies strengthens the agencies, he said, referring to recent misunderstanding between NP and APF. Only coordination between security agencies can strengthen the security system, Basnet maintained. At the workshop, security officials will also discuss the UDMF’s capital-centric movement.
Joint secretary Yadav Prasad Koirala, chief of the Home Ministry’s Security Directorate, said the workshop will discuss security challenges in view of UDMF’s preparations for a capital-centric movement.
At the workshop, chiefs of security agencies in the valley will make presentations on the latest security situation and challenges.
