Strict Measures Implemented for Bhaktapur's Historic Biska Jatra

Bhaktapur. Strict action will be taken against those who throw stones or attempt to disrupt the historic Biska (Bisket) Jatra, which is celebrated grandly in Bhaktapur for nine days and eight nights according to tantric rituals.

This decision was made during a meeting regarding festival management and security held at the District Administration Office, Bhaktapur, on Sunday, led by Chief District Officer Umesh Kumar Dhakal with security agencies and stakeholders. Chief District Officer Dhakal stated that the meeting decided to detain anyone involved in rioting, stone-pelting, or fighting for the duration of the festival, prosecute them, and blacklist them in police records, preventing them from traveling abroad in the future.

To maintain peace and security during the festival and to easily identify those attempting to disrupt it, the festival area will be monitored by 36 CCTV cameras and three drone cameras, said Superintendent of Police Surya Bahadur Khadka, Chief of the District Police Range, Bhaktapur. He informed that the CCTV cameras will be monitored 24/7 from the police control room and that anyone engaging in illicit activities will be arrested immediately.

It has been decided to ban the sale, distribution, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in Bhaktapur throughout the festival. Superintendent of Police Khadka stated that action will be taken against those selling, distributing, or openly consuming alcohol. For security during the festival, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and plainclothes police will be deployed. Hospitals in Bhaktapur have been instructed to remain on standby for emergency treatment, ambulances in the district will be kept ready near the festival site, and fire engines have been ordered to be on standby. This year's Biska Jatra will be held from Chait 27 to Baisakh 5.