The Nepali government has started aerial patrols in five development regions of the country from Sunday to strengthen security arrangements in view of the April 10 Constituent Assembly election, the Home Ministry said.
Monday's The Himalayan Times daily quoted Home secretary Umesh Mainali as saying that at least five government helicopters will remain on standby, one each in Biratnagar for the eastern region, Simara and Kathmandu for the central region, Pokhara for the western region, Nepalgunj for the mid-western region and Dhangadhifor the far-western region.
The Home Ministry is also negotiating with private helicopter operators to hire three more helicopters till the election.
Mainali said Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala had also instructed him to further tighten security measures during a briefing on Sunday.
Mainali said aerial patrolling had been effective in taking prompt security response in troubled areas, and rescuing injured people for emergency medical treatment.
A press statement issued by the ministry said a helicopter flew from Biratnagar and patrolled various villages of Taplejung, Panchthar and Ilam in the eastern region Sunday. Another helicopter flew from Kathmandu and patrolled Dhadhing and Ramechhap district the same day.
Another helicopter, on standby in Pokhara, some 200 km west of Kathmandu, airlifted people injured in a clash in Hugdisir of Baglung district to a hospital in Pokhara for medical treatment, said the statement.
"The Home Ministry appeals to all to operate their vehicles in the national highways and other link roads without fear, as the government has already consolidated security measures with policemen patrolling and escorting all vehicles plying the highways," the statement said.
Though the government decided to give a five-day public holiday starting from April 7 to ensure massive participation of the people in the election, essential services such as fire fighting, electricity, telephone, drinking water, ambulance and services related to public health and humanitarian rescue and assistance will not be brought to a halt.
Source:Xinhua
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