Aerial patrolling begins in Nepal

Kathmandu, Apr 4: The Nepal Government is all set to commence aerial patrolling from today throughout the country to boost security arrangements for the constituent assembly election slated for April 10.

For this, the government is signing a contract with five helicopter companies. A Nepal helicopter will also be used for the patrolling purpose. According to the Nepal Home Ministry, a special security squad was formed by the government who will begin air patrolling in five development regions including the Kathmandu Valley. Altogether six helicopters will be brought into use for patrolling and will be deployed in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Pokhara, Simara, Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi.

Besides, senior security officials have started inspection missions to review the ground situation.

The team of senior officials includes Home Secretary Umesh Mainali, chief of Armed Police Force (APF) Basudev Oli, chief of Nepal Police Om Bikram Rana and chief of National Investigation Department (NID) Dhan Singh Karki. They will visit Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Chitwan and Dhading districts.

"The team will also meet political leaders and security officials," nepalnews quoted Home Ministry spokesperson Modraj Dotel said

Over 2,500 temporary Nepal Police personnel have been mobilized in the three districts of Kathmandu Valley.

"Security personnel have been mobilised in various parts of the country from today and they have all been put under high alert," nepalnews quoted Home Ministry spokesperson Modraj Dotel as saying.

The government has also made arrangements to recruit 63,700 temporary police personnel under the Nepal Police and another 6,000 personnel under the Armed Police Force (APF).

According to police officials, arrangements have been made to send 76 police vehicles, including Control Room Vehicles (CRVs) for election-related patrolling.

ANI