KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 26
The government has issued the 'Procedure of Security Operation to Clear Obstruction on the Highways' which empowers the local administration and security bodies to take stringent action against any person or group involved in obstructing traffic on the highways.
It aims to tackle the bandh, protest and strikes organised by various groups on the highways to pressure the government to address their demands besides preventing theft, robbery, loot, extortion, kidnapping of passengers, arson, vandalism, blast in vehicles and hit-and-run crimes. The procedure also includes the strategy of clearing the highways at the time of disasters such as earthquake, flood and landslide.
The procedure empowers the government to operate all security agencies in an integrated manner on the highways to ensure smooth flow of traffic and clear the obstruction within 10 minutes.
There will be an 11-member Highway Obstruction Clearance District Coordination Committee led by the concerned chief district office. The committee will comprise representatives from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, National Investigation Department and chief administrative office of local level, among others.
If there is any obstruction on the highway due to protest or strike, the concerned police office shall provide information to the CDO. "At the initial stage, traffic police will make arrangements for diversion, if available, on the highway. Members of the district coordination committee use loudhailer to convince the groups involved in the road obstruction to shun the unlawful activity. If the demonstrators refuse to clear the obstruction by themselves, the security officials will issue a warning of action," the procedure reads.
In case the obstruction continues even after the request from the concerned officials, the concerned CDO will order security officials to exercise the powers conferred by the Local Administration Act and Essential Services Operation Act.
As per the Local Administration Act, the security personnel may open fire on troublemakers. "Any person involved in anarchy shall be arrested for legal action as per the prevailing laws," it reads. If the situation goes out of control of the local administration, the concerned CDO may seek necessary help from the Nepali Army.
A version of this article appears in the print on February 27, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
