KATHMANDU: Security has been tightened in the Kathmandu Valley in view of the visit of Fatema Sumar, the Vice President of the US Agency for Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

The deployment of security personnel at major intersections in Kathmandu has been increased saying that there may be protests against the MCC.

Armed police force personnel have been deployed in Thapathali, Naya Baneshwor, Putalisadak, Maitighar and Maharajgunj.

Demonstrations have been going on in the Kathmandu Valley for several days against the MCC agreement.

On Wednesday alone, 600 security personnel were deployed in Kathmandu and more than a dozen protesters were arrested.

At a time when there is a debate in Nepal on whether to accept the MCC project or not, MCC Vice President Fatema Sumar and Jonathan Brooks, Deputy Chair, are arriving in Kathmandu from Qatar today on a four-day visit to Nepal.

They are coming to Nepal to inquire information about the procedural progress of the MCC project.

The MCC’s visit at this level is viewed with curiosity and importance after the bilateral agreement on the Millennium Challenge Compact was signed between the Government of Nepal and the Millennium Challenge Corporation of the US Government four years ago to reduce poverty and promote sustainable socio-economic development.

The agreement was signed between the MCC on behalf of the US government and the Ministry of Finance on behalf of Nepal.

The visit is being watched with interest in the political circles as well as at the grassroots level over the Rs 50 billion assistance received from the United States as a grant for the implementation of road infrastructure, power transmission line construction and other physical infrastructure development projects in Nepal.