POKHARA: Minister for Home Affairs Shakti Bahadur Basnet has directed to top security officials of the Western Development Region to help ease the supply of essential goods in a fair and transparent manner.

Speaking at an interaction organised by the Home Ministry about the existing security situation and security challenges in Gandaki and Dhaulagiri zones, in Pokhara on Wednesday, Minister Basnet directed the officials to ensure availability of essentials in the Region.

He urged the security heads to stay high-alert and aware about the current security situation and effectively work to foil potential black marketing and fleecing, taking advantage of the current situation in the traders' favour.

He also directed all 10 participating Chief District Officers to control black marketing and maintain fair and transparent distribution of fuel and cooking gas and to ensure that a single Nepali citizen could not raise question at the government.

He warned that crimes including illegal trade of arms, drug peddling, murder and violence could rise during such a volatile situation.

Basnet also instructed them to prevent any clash between various political groups and gangs.

More than 60 officials including the Home Secretary, Western Regional Administrator, regional and district chiefs of security agencies had participated in the programme.

On the occasion, the officials had briefed the Minister about the current security challenges in the Region.

They had also expressed a commitment to maintain peace and security in the Region despite limited resources.