Kathmandu, November 2

The Kathmandu District Administration Office has removed the Baneshwor-based International Convention Centre and its surrounding areas from the list of prohibited zones until further notice.

A public notice issued by the DAO said a decision to this effect was taken as the ICC is no longer being used as the Parliament building. “The building is currently being used as the office of returning officers for the purpose of provincial and parliamentary elections. The surrounding of the building was removed from the list of prohibited zones to ease the mobility of people until further decision,” read the notice.

In view of potential security threats, the Kathmandu District Administration Office today declared two more areas of the capital prohibited areas until further notice. The declaration of prohibited zones is in line with the Section 6 (3) of the Local Administration Act-1971, which defines the powers and functions of chief district officer.

Earlier, 50 metres to the north and south of the premises of the Office of the President, premises of the Vice-president’s Office, prime minister’s official residence at Baluwatar, the Parliament building, the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority and the area from Maitighar Mandala through the western gate of Singha Durbar to Padmodaya High School and Bhadrakali, and through the southern gate of Singha Durbar to Hanumansthan were declared prohibited zones.

The local administration has authority to prohibit sit-ins, assemblies, rallies and other means of protest in the restricted zones.