CHITWAN: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, has said security agencies at home have played a significant role in promoting national sovereignty and integrity while maintaining peace, security and unity.

During his inspection to rehearsals of emergency rescue works performed by the Armed Police Force (APF) Disaster Management Training School, Kurintar in the Trishuli River in Chitwan today, he applauded the roles of APF in emergency rescue operations.

“Despite being a naturally beautiful country, Nepal is highly vulnerable to natural disasters like landslides, floods, earthquake and fire. There is the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to respond to the incidences of natural disasters from the government level,” he said on the occasion.

He took time to say that the government was effortful to further enhance the efficiency of service delivery within security agencies and the bureaucracy by assessing past performance scenarios.

Highlighting on the significance of duties of river-based rescue operators, APF Inspector General Raju Aryal said their roles are highly challenging, riskier and exemplary as well.

It may be noted that Nepal had to seek an assistance from Bangladesh for the rescue operation following the accident of a car carrying the then general secretary of CPN (UML), Madan Bhandari, and organisation department chief Jibaraj Ashrit in Trishuli River on May 16, 1993.

The APF Disaster Management Training School has so far produced 74 professional divers. It also recorded 802 lives rescues in 273 various incidents.

The School was established as the AFP base camp on December 9, 2001 and was developed as the training center on May 2, 2010.