Government positive to formulate border security law: Minister Thapa

Kathmandu - Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa has said the government is positive to draft a law relating to border security and incorporate it in the Armed Police Force (APF) Act as well. Inaugurating the APF Number 3 Ganimai Brigade at Bhandara today, the Home Minister mandate of border security given to the APF would help the organization perform better and more effectively. “Achievement of peace and order is possible only through mutual coordination and collaboration among all bodies,” the Minister said, directing the APF to move ahead by coordinating with other security bodies also.

He went on to say the government was committed to recruiting additional APF work force as per the requirement of time. The government wanted to modernize the organization, making it technology-friendly and to enhance its professional skills. The nation and organization could meet goals only if existing national servants and APF personnel performed as per the demand of time by utilizing achieved professional skills, capacity and competency, he added. According to him, the Ministry is working with the plan of establishing 221 border outposts (BOPs) within the current fiscal year.

So far of this year, 87 BOPs have been set up. The significance of Bagmati province that shares its border with both neighbours India and China is different and unique and it is sensitive in view of security as well, according to him. He took time to urge the APF to do the best so as to strengthen internal security mechanism. On the occasion, APF Chief Shailendra Khanal promised to further strengthen the border security. As he said, the number of BOPs will be increased to 500. Brigadier Mandip Shrestha apprised the Minister about the unit. It was established on 22 Agust, 2018. It looks after 10 districts in the Bagmati province except three districts in the Kathmandu Valley.