Kathmandu, January 23
Prakash Jwala, chairperson of the parliamentary Finance Committee, demanded to know from the Prachanda government how box after box after box of illegal gold is entering Nepal through the Tribhuvan International Airport.
Jwala, taking special time at Monday’s meeting of the committee, pointed that past three years have seen 385 kg of gold smuggled into Nepal and accused gold smugglers of trying to install a police chief (Nepal Police IG), who is ‘friendly’ towards them.
Smuggling of after box after box after box of gold into Nepal through the airport is a matter of national shame, he said.
Jwala asked: How come couriers are falling into police net, while their handlers are able to avoid arrest? The government should answer this.
The lawmaker added: Now, there are rumours that these handlers, these gold smugglers, are trying every bit to install an IGP, who will do their bidding.
Jwala said: Smuggling of gold into Nepal in boxes and suitcases through Tribhuvan International Airport points at negligence on the part of security apparatuses. Acts like these will raise questions on Nepal’s security also.
He asked: What is the guarantee that illegal weapons will not enter Nepal through an airport through which illegal gold and drugs are entering? Illegal weapons smuggled thus can destroy the country.
‘Under foreign pressure, the government has amended the Civil Aviation Security Regulations, allowing deployment of India’s air marshals in Nepal (TIA). This is objectionable’
Going a step further, Jwala accused the government of showing indifference towards the arrest of kingpins of gold smuggling rackets and controlling gold smuggling. Under foreign pressure, the government has amended the Civil Aviation Security Regulations, allowing deployment of India’s air marshals in Nepali territory (TIA), Jwala alleged. He objected to the alleged move.
At Monday’s House meeting, the government also drew fire for letting CK Raut hold an open assembly in Lahan as part of his efforts to disintegrate Nepal
On the occasion, Subodh Pokhharel, a lawmaker from the Madheshi Janaadhikar Forum (Democratic), lambasted the government for letting CK Raut hold an open assembly in Lahan of Siraha district as part of his efforts to disintegrate Nepal. He demanded that the Prachanda administration arrest Raut.
