Security situation a lot better: Nepal Army

KATHMANDU, NOV 09 -  Effective coordination among security agencies in the field has “significantly improved” the election security scenario across the country, the Nepal Army (NA) has concluded after field assessments in some regions.

After the Army was deployed for the November 19 Constituent Assembly election, Chief of Army Staff Gaurav SJB Rana visited the Far West, Mid West and Eastern regions over the last few days.

As part of the government's Integrated Security Plan for the polls, around 62,000 Army personnel have been deployed across the country. While remaining as a back-up force, the Army has been tasked with ensuring security along the major highways.

Besides the Army, the government has deployed 45,000 Nepal Police, 29,000 Armed Police Force and some 45,000 temporary police personnel for the election.

NA Spokesperson Brig Gen Jagadish Chandra Pokhrel said there is effective coordination among the security agencies and frequent exchange of information has helped them make effective security arrangements.

“We are working hard to make the people feel that the security is effective during the election,” he said.

A high level NA officer, requesting anonymity, said all security agencies in all the 75 districts have identified possible security threats in all electoral constituencies. “All the security agencies have prepared a security plan even for villages in certain constituencies.

We are, as such, upbeat about the arrangements,” said the officer.

Patrolling by NA personnel deployed in all the 240 constituencies has boosted the morale of other security agencies as well.

The National Security Council had on September 18 decided to deploy the Army for poll security, while it was subsequently endorsed by President Ram Baran Yadav.

The main task of the Army is to help the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force and provide security for vital installations. The NA has also been requested to transport election logistics.