Nepal takes special security strategies to tackle increasing violence

To tackle the increasing violence in the southern plains of the country, the Nepali government has prepared a special security plan of action.

"The government has decided to clear the Indo-Nepal border points and highway that has been blocked by the protestors through special security strategies. We will jointly deploy the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Bureau in the volatile area to keep the situation under control," Spokesperson at the Home Ministry Laxmi Prasad Dhakal told Xinhua on Monday.

The ethnic minority Madhesis have been obstructing the border points with India and blocking the Mahendra highway, which links Nepal's capital with the eastern Terai plains since last few months.

They are in demonstration against the state demanding amendments in the delineation of federal provinces in the recently promulgated constitution.

On Sunday, a meeting of the Central Security Committee headed by Home Minister Shakti Basnet had decided to take stringent measures to jointly mobilize the security agencies for the next few days.

The government's plan of action comes after the deaths of three protestors and injury of dozens in police firing on Sunday in eastern Terai district Saptari. The Home Ministry has clarified the use of forces as self-defense.

Though there are also speculations and media reports about the possible deployment of Nepal Army in the tensed southern plains, the Home Ministry has turned down the reports.

"There has been no any discussion or planning about seeking the support of Nepal Army in the Terai districts", spokesperson at the Home Ministry told Xinhua.

Earlier in late August, Nepal's Army was deployed in far western Kailali district as part of strengthening the arm of the civil authority following the deaths of nine security personnel by the irate protestors.

Nepal is reeling under severe crisis following the three months of strikes and protests by Madhesis along with the unofficial blockade imposed by India since last two months.

Sources: XINHUA