Kathmandu, December 6

Nepal Police today said it had confiscated a huge cache of arms, ammunition and explosives from across the country in the last few days.

At a press conference organised in Nepal Police Headquarters, central police Spokesperson DIG Manoj Neupane said 61 firearms, 283 rounds of bullet, 2,188 detonators, 555 gelignites, 12 kg gunpowder, 253 metre fuse wires, 580 firecrackers and other materials used for making socket bombs were seized.

“We have arrested 968 suspects involved in detonating bombs and carrying out anti-election activities,” he said. Of them, 600 persons are said to be affiliated to Netra Bikram Chand-led Nepal Communist Party of Nepal and 13 are associated with CK Raut.

On being asked why police had failed to arrest Chand despite his alleged role in detonating bombs targeting election rallies and candidates, he said, “It is not only an issue involving a person in particular. We will arrest anyone involved in criminal activities and initiate legal actions against him/her under the prevailing laws, regardless of their political affiliations.”

DIG Neupane also said that unmatched security arrangements were made to ensure that people exercised their right to vote in a peaceful environment tomorrow. “Any person involved in fomenting violence in any form and posing threat to election will be arrested on the spot for legal action,” he said. The government may open fire on any person or group if they are found carrying out violent activities during elections.

Ninety per cent of the total 72,733 personnel of Nepal Police have been deployed for election security. The arrangements of human resources, arms and other logistics have been made in polling stations as per the security assessment.

Nepal Police, in association with its Indian counterpart, has also stepped up security along Nepal-India border to prevent cross-border crimes and anti-election activities, DIG Neupane said.

Each polling station has already received election logistics and is under full security cover. He warned that any person or group involved in intimidating and threatening voters, candidates and employees deputed at polling stations would be dealt with ruthlessly.

The government has also classified polling stations into three categories for security purpose.