Election will not be disturbed due to looted weapons, fugitives: Home Minister

Sudurpaschim, Dec 2: Minister for Home Affairs Om Prakash Aryal has vowed that the election will not be disrupted due to the looted weapons and escaped prisoners.

Addressing the Sudurpaschim Province-level security seminar held in Dhangadhi today, Home Minister Aryal stated that it is not necessary to exaggerate much regarding the weapons looted and the escaped prisoners during the Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9.

He said that 727 weapons looted during the Gen Z movement have been returned and 4,552 prisoners remain to be captured, adding that an 'operation' has been launched to arrest the remaining absconding prisoners and additional looted weapons are also in the process of being returned.

Noting that elections are indispensable in a democratic system, he said, "The government has prioritised talks, dialogue and discussion, and has geared up for the election, listening to everyone without excluding anyone, and has moved towards elections incorporating everyone's sentiments."

He clarified that establishing good governance with the rule of law and an interference-free administration, and conducting fair and fraud-free elections within the stipulated time, is the main objective of the government.

Home Minister Aryal maintained that the Home Administration has been sincerely working on maintaining peace and security, controlling crime, good governance, and the effectiveness of service delivery in response to the demands raised by youths for good governance and justice following the events of September 8 and 9.

"The morale of the citizens and the nation will be high only if the morale of the security personnel is high," he said, adding that the relationship between citizens and security personnel has been gradually strengthening.

He emphasised that the provincial government's role will also be important in creating an electoral environment within the designated time.

Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province, Kamal Bahadur Shah, said that the provincial government is committed to creating an environment conducive for elections. He said, "Since the country can be led in the right direction through elections, it is necessary for everyone to unite and create an environment conducive to elections."

Province Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Hira Sarki stated that the Government of Nepal should coordinate with parties to create a proper security environment.

The security seminar is chaired by Home Ministry Secretary Rameshwar Dangal.

The seminar is attended by the Inspectors General of Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force, the Chief of the National Investigation Department, the commander of the Army's Far-Western Regional Headquarters, officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the chief security officials including the Chief District Officers from all nine districts of the province.

The workshop will discuss topics including provincial-level security challenges.