DPM Shrestha takes stock of TIA security and customs management

KATHMANDU, July 21: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha today carried out a monitoring of the airport management, luggage checking, and goods import process at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). 

He was accompanied by the chiefs of all the bodies related to the TIA security and management on the occasion. The DPM and Home Minister also acquired information on airport security and management aspects.

He monitored the entire process from airplane landing to the entry of passengers, airport employees, and the handbag and cargo disembarkation and checking process. 

High officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs including the Home Secretary and the chiefs of Nepal Police, the National Investigation Department, the Revenue Investigation Department, and the Department of Immigration and TIA, among other offices accompanied the DPM and Home Minister during the inspection and monitoring.

Two days back, a team from the Revenue Investigation Department had seized a large quantity of gold that was being taken in a taxi after entering through the airport checking. This episode has exposed the weakness of the airport management, security, and customs process as well as the passage of the incoming cargo.

In his brief remarks after the monitoring, Home Minister Shrestha stressed coordination and carrying out works in an integrated way among the airport bodies concerned rather than pointing fingers at one another for the weaknesses.

"The international airport is our identity in view of national sovereignty and national security as well. All the agencies concerned should be stringent against crimes and revenue evasion taking place at the airport. However, we should be polite towards the passengers and the visitors," he said.

Referring to the Prime Minister's statement that the present government will leave no stone unturned for good governance, quality economic and social development and administrative reforms and also his directive to the government employees to carry out their work as per the same spirit, DPM Shrestha expressed the commitment that the investigation committee related to gold smuggling shall get down to the root of this fiasco and take action against the culprits.