Security Concerns Rise in Jhapa's Constituency 5 Amid Intense Electoral Race

Biratnagar. Bharat Kumar Shrestha, residing in Damak Municipality-6, which falls under Constituency No. 5 of Jhapa, expresses apprehension that the election might not even take place on the upcoming Falgun 21.

He has heard rumors: 'If one of the candidates for the future Prime Minister loses here, there will be a major accident or riot, and people will die. Following such an incident, the election will be postponed.'

'Will they even allow the election to happen here? I hear that if a party is certain to lose, they will cause a major incident to prevent the election from taking place,' he also questioned. Having run a shoe business in Damak for 25 years, he had never experienced such suspicion before.

Jhapa Constituency No. 5 is the most talked-about constituency across the country. Former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Balendra Shah, former Mayor of Kathmandu and candidate from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), are competing here. As the contest between the two intensifies, security concerns are also growing.

A minor clash occurred between CPN-UML cadres and RSP cadres in Damak on the very day of nomination filing on Magh 4.

Shah of RSP, who is contesting from Jhapa-5, appeared distressed during the nomination filing time. After moving towards the election office for nomination, there was a scuffle and pushing between RSP supporters and CPN-UML cadres. At that time, a video posted from a Facebook ID named Khum Jhakri Magar contained dialogue saying Balen Shah should be shot. Following the clash and the public release of the video advocating for shooting Balen Shah, Balen Shah felt a security threat. Since that day, the security concern among the general public has not subsided.

Koshi Province Police Chief Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Binod Ghimire stated that appropriate security arrangements are in place to conduct the election in a fear-free environment. 'The foremost and first thing is that the public feels safe for the election to happen; that atmosphere has not deteriorated. Rumors that the election won't happen have been present since the day the date was announced by the government. But now, so many processes have moved forward, election materials have arrived, and personnel are being mobilized. Therefore, there is no doubt that the election will happen,' he said.

However, he mentioned that the situation in Jhapa 5 is unique and security arrangements have been made accordingly. 'There are two candidates for the future Prime Minister in Jhapa 5, so it is natural for the seriousness of security here to be higher compared to other areas. We are taking this seriously. Just as the police are arranging security in other areas, we have given special attention to Jhapa 5 since the day of nomination filing,' Ghimire said.

Due to security concerns, additional security personnel and technology have been deployed in Jhapa. 'We have deployed an additional 100 police personnel there, including two Inspectors, and a DSP will also go there. We have also used technology for security. Furthermore, plainclothes police have been mobilized for information gathering,' DIG Ghimire said. 'The claims that the election won't happen or some accident will occur are all fabricated. They are just people's own imaginations. The election will be peaceful; you can be assured of that.'

DIG Ghimire also stated that they are monitoring the activities of the opposition or other groups. 'We have identified elements that might disrupt the election. We have all the information regarding their activities and potential individuals. We have them under surveillance. They cannot cause any untoward incident,' Ghimire said. 'We have taken extra precautions in the areas considered slightly difficult. The election in Jhapa 5 will be even more peaceful than in other places. There is no reason for anyone to feel unsafe.'

Patrols with Dogs in Electoral Area, High Alert

As the election date approaches, the police have intensified comprehensive searches and checks, including the deployment of dogs, in Damak and surrounding areas, considering potential security risks in that constituency.

In an all-party meeting held in Damak, political parties expressed security concerns, stating that individuals previously involved in setting fire to houses and government offices are now active in the election campaign. They claimed that threatening statements targeting candidates on social media have increased the security threat.

Furthermore, security personnel estimate that clashes could occur due to the overlapping schedules of house-to-house campaigns by CPN-UML Chairman Oli and RSP leader Shah. The day after Oli visited various localities in Kamal Rural Municipality on Sunday, Shah also visited the same area. Police anticipate slogans and confrontations if supporters of both sides meet.

Police also estimate that criminal activities could target movement in border areas like Damak Bus Park, Tarabari, and Habaldar Chowk.

To strengthen security, a team including trained sniffer dogs, commanded by Police Sub-Inspector Yambhadur Shrestha from the K9 Branch Dharan, has been deployed. This team is searching for explosives, narcotics, and illegal materials.

So far in the checks, the identity of 487 pedestrians has been verified, and dozens of vehicles, including 29 buses, 38 motorcycles, and 30 city safaris, have been closely monitored.

Currently, the house-to-house campaigns of Oli and Shah have brought excitement to Jhapa 5. Oli is focused on Gauriganj and Kamal Rural Municipality, while Shah is also busy in the same area. Meanwhile, Nepali Congress candidate Mandhara Poudyal, CPN's Ranjit Tamang, and RPP's Laxmi Prasad Sangraula are also busy wooing voters with their respective strategies.

As the electoral competition becomes more complex, this area is becoming increasingly challenging for the security agencies.