Security agencies told to be on their toes

Pokhara, November 10

Election Commissioner Ishwori Prasad Poudel today directed all security agencies to be on their toes to control possible anti-election activities.

Speaking at a security symposium of Province 4 and 5 in the run up to the provincial and parliamentary elections, Commissioner Poudel urged the security agencies to maintain tight security to hold the elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner.

Commissioner Poudel directed chiefs of security forces to report about security situation and prepare election security strategy for their respective districts. He urged them keep an eye on people’s movement from adjoining districts.  Chief District Officers and security agency chiefs of all 17 districts of Province 4 and 5 were present in the symposium. Officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Election Commission also attended the programme. They pointed at the possible security threats that Netra Bikram Chand led Communist Party could pose.

Poudel said some candidates’ mentality to win election using muscular power, money and threat had added security threats during elections. He urged the security personnel to remain vigil on the candidates violating election code of conduct.

Meanwhile, Home Secretary Mohan Krishna Sapkota directed security personnel to be alert to avert any untoward incidents. Narayan Prasad Sharma, Spokesperson at the Ministry of Home Affairs, said election security plans had already been prepared for the central, provincial and district level.