The Armed Police Force (APF) headquarters in Halchowk has deployed 1,600 personnel from the Kathmandu Valley to districts outside the valley for election security. This deployment from Halchowk was made on Thursday (February 19) to secure the House of Representatives Elections scheduled for March 5. According to APF Deputy Spokesperson Shailendra Thapa, these teams have been dispatched to Koshi Province, Madhesh Province, and Gandaki Province.

Additionally, the Armed Police are preparing to deploy more personnel from the Kathmandu Valley for election security. Preparations are underway regarding the number and location of these deployments, and additional personnel are expected to be sent within a couple of days.

It’s not just the APF; the Nepal Police is also preparing to deploy 15,000 personnel from the Kathmandu Valley to other districts. Central Spokesperson and DIG Abhinarayan Kafle of the Nepal Police said that 15,000 personnel will be sent from the valley to outside districts.

“We will deploy 15,000 personnel from the valley to other districts. Some have already been deployed,” Kafle informed Onlinekhabar.

According to him, 140 senior officers have already been sent to districts considered challenging. Most of these personnel have gone to districts in the Terai. Madhesh Province is considered more challenging in terms of security, so additional teams have been sent there.

Additional teams will be deployed from the valley to Karnali and Sudurpashchim on February 21. On February 22, teams will be sent to Koshi, according to headquarters’ plans. On February 23, Lumbini, and on February 24, Gandaki and Bagmati will receive additional teams.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Central Security Committee was held at the Home Ministry on Thursday. The meeting discussed implementing election security strategies and preparing for the election.

Participants included officials from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, National Investigation Department, and Chief District Officers (CDOs) from all 77 districts. CDOs attended virtually.

10% of Traffic Personnel Remain

A large number of police personnel from units such as the Traffic Police Office, Kathmandu Valley, the Crime Investigation Office, the Narcotics Control Bureau, the Central Investigation Bureau, the Cyber Bureau, and the Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau are also being deployed to other districts for election security.

According to SSP Navaraj Adhikari, head of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, traffic police will also begin deployment to various districts from tomorrow. He said that except for 10% of traffic personnel on duty in the valley, all others will be sent for election security.

Task Force in Jhapa

Jhapa is currently considered the most sensitive district in terms of security. Additional personnel have already been deployed to Jhapa immediately after nomination registration.

Police reports indicate concerns about clashes between new and old parties. Even during the nomination registration, there were scuffles.

Security challenges have increased due to the influence of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and the candidacy of Kathmandu Metropolitan Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen). In Jhapa-5, UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Balen Shah are contesting against each other.

Due to potential heavy confrontations, specially trained and armed task force teams are being deployed from the valley to Jhapa. These task forces are considered stronger than regular police due to their commando and specialised training.

Security concerns in Madhesh

Security challenges have also been assessed in Madhesh Province. During the silent period, Holi celebrations in the Terai, involving food, drinks, and financial transactions, pose a risk of clashes, according to security personnel.

For this reason, eight districts in Madhesh are considered sensitive. Open borders are also considered another security challenge. Preparations are underway for stricter border control through meetings of Nepali and Indian security personnel. Approximately 6,000 additional personnel are planned to be deployed in Madhesh, which is considered a challenging region.

Leave suspended except for essential cases

As elections approach, security agencies have suspended all leaves except for essential reasons such as funerals, weddings, or childbirth. Security agencies issued circulars stating that taking leave during this period could compromise election security.

APF Deputy Spokesperson Thapa added that leave approvals have also been suspended during this period.

Offices will not close, even temporarily

Police headquarters have adopted a policy of keeping offices open without interruption. For example, SP Sudip Pathak from Parsa District Police Office was on leave due to his father’s death. Since a DSP was acting in his place, headquarters deployed another SP, Naresh Raj Subedi from Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police, to Parsa for about 15 days. Subedi has already issued directives.

Considering the sensitivity of the election, Subedi instructed that security should be effective, impartial, and reliable. Police personnel must maintain high vigilance, ensure voter safety, and actively prevent any undesirable activities throughout the election period.

Army to provide weapons

The Nepal Police requested 2,800 small arms (pistols) from the Nepali Army. The request went from the Police Headquarters to the Home Ministry, then the Defence Ministry, and finally to the Army.

According to sources, the Army has already provided half of the requested weapons. After the cabinet approved the loan of these weapons, the police received the pistols. The remaining weapons are expected to be provided by the Army by February 22. In previous elections, the police have also borrowed weapons from the Army for deployment.

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