KATHMANDU: Nepal Police has implemented the ‘Festival Security Plan 2083’ from Wednesday to ensure reliable and effective security during Bada Dashain, Tihar, Nepal Sambat and Chhath festivals.
Central Police Spokesperson Abhi Narayan Kafle said the plan aims to maintain normal daily life during the festive period, ensure the security of transactions involving banks and financial institutions, and provide full security to passengers travelling to different destinations.
“Taking advantage of the festive season, incidents such as theft and robbery, gambling and betting, smuggling and border-related crimes may increase,” he said. “A large number of police personnel have been mobilised to control such criminal activities.”
Police have identified the transportation of explosives, customs evasion, theft and robbery at banks and financial institutions, looting, artificial shortages of food, clothing and consumer goods, black marketing, the sale of expired or adulterated products, hundi transactions and circulation of counterfeit currency as potential security challenges.
Kafle said more than 50,000 police personnel have been deployed to strengthen security during the festive period. Passenger assistance desks have been established at 408 locations, while 108 assistance desks have been set up at international border points.
Command posts have been established at the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, provincial police offices and district police offices to coordinate police mobilisation, Kafle said.
During the period, police will conduct foot, mobile and rural patrols. Checkpoints and joint checks involving traffic police have also been arranged, while security has been strengthened at government and other important institutions, prisons and other offices.
Technology and intelligence-based security
Police will use drones, CCTV cameras, body-worn cameras and other communication equipment and technology to implement the festival security plan.
Major markets and shopping malls, marts, banks and financial institutions, and areas where gold, silver and other valuable goods are traded in Kathmandu Valley and other major cities will be kept under special surveillance.
Police have adopted a zero-tolerance strategy toward violence against women, children, gender and sexual minorities, and senior citizens.
Special plan to reduce road accidents
Police expect millions of passengers to leave Kathmandu Valley during the festive period. To reduce road accidents and loss of life and property, police said checks on driving licences will be intensified and the requirement for two drivers on long-distance routes will be strictly enforced.
“Vehicles will not be allowed to carry more passengers than their seating capacity, and all vehicles will have to submit a mechanical test report issued within the past seven days,” Kafle said.
Police are introducing the mandatory mechanical test report requirement for the first time in Nepal.
Police also aim to end practices such as harassing passengers, overcharging for tickets, black marketing and issuing tickets for seats that are not available on vehicles leaving Kathmandu Valley.
Kafle said the police would focus on ensuring public safety, facilitating travel and reducing accidents during the festive period.
“Instructions have already been issued to subordinate units to reduce the number of accidents that may increase during the festive season,” he said. “This year, we have arranged a security system that is more peaceful, safe, dignified, organised and reliable than in previous years.”
Police have also linked security arrangements with performance evaluation. “The performance of district police chiefs and provincial police chiefs will be assessed in connection with security management,” Kafle said.
Special teams deployed for disaster response
Police have deployed special teams to respond to possible disasters during the festive period.
Personnel from disaster management units have been kept on standby around the clock for rescue, search, relief and security operations, Kafle said.
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