Kathmandu, March 6

The Kathmandu District Administration Office has imposed a ban on the production, sale, purchase, transportation, storage and consumption of liquor, meat, marijuana and other psychoactive substances on the Pashupatinath temple premises during the Mahashivaratri festival.

Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Ram Krishna Subedi, said a notice to this effect was issued to maintain religious sanctity of the holy site of Hindus.

Around 8,000 security personnel, both in uniform and civvies, have already been deployed in and around the Pashupati area to maintain law and order.

Plainclothes cops have been keeping vigil on suspects to prevent the sale, distribution and consumption of marijuana.