Special security plan for Pranab Mukherjee's Nepal trip

KATHMANDU: A special security plan has been prepared for the forthcoming state visit of Indian President, Pranab Mukherjee, to Nepal from November 2 to 4.

Home Ministry's Spokesperson, Bal Krishna Panthi, said that all necessary security preparations have been completed for the Indian President's visit.

The extensive security plan spans three days from President Mukherjee's arrival to the departure.

The authorities have started stricter monitoring at the Nepal-India border and checking of the passengers travelling to the Kathmandu Valley at prime entrance points.

"We have completed a special security plan for the visit, and its implementation has already started," Panthi added.

He said all the four security organs would be mobilised under the unified security plan. The security circle will include Nepal Army, Armed Police Force (APF) and Nepal Police while National Investigation Department (NID) would also be mobilised during the visit.

Special security sensitivity is being adopted for the visiting Indian President in view of the soured India–Pakistan relations and open Nepal–India border.

Preparations are being made to mobilise necessary security personnel to Pokhara and Janakpur, where the Indian President will visit in course of his stay, according to the security bodies.

Indian President Mukherjee will arrive on November 2 and hold talks with President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, leaders of the various political parties. He would also attend the Kathmandu University's convocation ceremony and also pay homage to the Lord Pashupatinath.

He will leave for Janakpur on November 4 and pay homage to the Janaki Temple and attend a civic reception.

The President will then head to Pokhara where he will address a gathering of former Gurkha army personnel taking retirement from the Indian Army and return to Kathmandu on the same day. He will then return to India.