Security beefed up in Kathmandu

UNB, Dhaka :The police in Nepal have beefed up security in the Kathmandu, the capital of the Himalayan country, well ahead of the upcoming Saarc Summit to ensure foolproof security for the participants, reports Nepalese media.The four-stage 18th Summit will begin on November 22 and conclude on November 27.The Summit will be preceded by the thirty-sixth session of the Saarc Council of Ministers on November 25, the forty-first session of the Standing Committee on November 23-24, and the forty-sixth session of the Programming Committee on November 22.The Saarc Summit, led by the heads of state and government of the member states, will be held at Rastriya Sabha Griha (The City Hall), Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu on November 26-27, according to the Nepalese Foreign Ministry.Police have been on patrol at major entry checkpoints in the Valley while passengers entering in and going out of it are being scrutinised.All passengers entering the Valley through these checkpoints, mainly Nagdhunga, are made to get off the bus and police with the help of trained dogs conduct thorough search of each and every vehicle.Similarly, police have increased their vigilance in all apartments and hotels in Sundhara, Thamel and Kalanki area are asked to submit regular details of their customers.Police say a format has been developed seeking details of all foreigners who check in to these hotels and this forms are submitted to nearby police offices on a daily basis.Also, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s Office (MPCO) at Ranipokhari has reviewed and verified the details of Soaltee Hotel officials in Kathmandu and is installing CCTVs on the hotel premises.The government has made preparations to accommodate all guests in the hotel during their stay for the summit. Senior Superintendent of Police Hemanta Pal at the MPCO said preparations for the summit are under way but he did not comment further citing the sensitivity of the issue.Police have established a temporary station at the City Hall, the main venue for the summit.Currently, the City Hall building is being revamped to make it suitable to host the international summit.Around 20 police officials along with additional reserve forces have been guarding the hall.Quoting a high-level source at the MPCO, the report said at least 3,200 police officials will be deployed during the summit.Additional police officials will be sent by the Police Headquarters. The office has also made arrangements of reserve force and striking force. It has also deployed many police personnel in civvies.The Police Headquarters will also provide personal security officers as demanded following threat analysis.Extending the hands of friendship further, India has agreed to provide the car fleet for the VIP movement during the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit in Nepal next month, reports Hindustan Times recently.Nepal has made the request to India to provide logistical support for the summit, which includes bullet-proof cars and other vehicles for the movement of South Asian heads of state and governments and other VIPS like the ministers, said the report.The capital of Nepal is going green for the upcoming Saarc Summit, says another report.The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) and authorities concerned have planned to turn the capital ´green´ for the Saarc Summit and have intensified planting of new saplings and flowers.A tree plantation campaign is going on a full-swing at various places in the city like Ratnapark, Tundikhel, Kantipath, Tinkune, in front of Nepal Airlines Corporation and Soaltee Mode with support of private sector including Nabil Bank and Lincoln College. The campaign is expected to complete by November 11.