KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam

on Monday clarified that the recent changes in the security bodies had no link with the proposed integration of People’s Liberation Army into security forces.

“The 30-year service term in the security bodies is intended to intake more educated people in the security service,” stated a press release issued during a press meet organised by Gautam here today.

Gautam said the police should not wait for the ministry’s direction to take action against the unruly activities at casinos, dance restaurants and massage parlours, as they have been the centre of social ills in the society. He also claimed that the casino workers were involved in illegal and immoral activities.

Gautam also expressed his commitment to nab the murderer of Youth Force cadre Prachanda Thaiba. “It is not my failure, as Thiba’s murderer Sujit BK is under political protection,” Gautam clarified.

The CPN-UML vice-president also said the ministry had seriously taken up the issue of journalists’ security. He also said the ministry had begun to enhance the quality of ration for the Nepali Police personnel at par with other security bodies.

“The ministry is doing groundwork to modernise the working modalities of the

Nepal Police and make it more reliable,” he added. He also said the ministry would come up with special programmes to curb criminal activities in Eastern Tarai and the Kathmandu Valley.

Gautam also promised stern action against the persons or groups blocking the highways.

He also said the plan of action submitted to the ministry by the Yubaraj Sangraula-led task force would be soon implemented after getting the cabinet’s nod.