Kathmandu, January 2:

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs KP Sharma Oli today said constituent assembly elections were not possible without the reinstatement of police posts across the country.

Addressing an interaction — Worsening peace and security: State’s responsibility — organised by the Valley Coordination Committee of the Democratic National Youth Association, a youth wing of the UML, Oli said, “How can we hold CA polls if police posts were not reinstated and if the state cannot distribute citizenship?”

He expressed the government’s commitment to ensure peace and security. Stating that the country was going through a transitional phase, Oli said the government could not meet all the demands of each quarter and it was not reasonable to stage demonstrations in prohibited areas, vandalise public property and create chaos for a petty cause.

Chief District Officer of Kathmandu Sthaneshwor Devkota said, “Seven to eight rallies a day is a normal phenomenon in Kathmandu these days.” Stating that the government had no policy to suppress peaceful demonstrations, Devkota said, “Sometimes police personnel have to use minimum force to take the situation under control.” He admitted that some police personnel were involved in criminal activities but added that the government had already taken action against them. “It is not possible to control crime and carry out successful investigations without public cooperation though state is solely responsible to do so,” he added.

He cited lack of resources and manpower as a major problem to cope with the situation and to deliver prompt services as expected by the people.

Bhaktapur CDO Baburam Lamichhane committed to improve security situation.