US aid to strengthen Nepal`s security capability

The US pledged USD 850,000 financial aid to Nepal to strengthen its security infrastructure, with the country still reeling under the impact of a decade-long Maoist-led insurgency that ended in 2006.

Kathmandu: The United States on Sunday
pledged USD 850,000 financial aid to Nepal to strengthen its
security infrastructure, with the country still reeling under
the impact of a decade-long Maoist-led insurgency that ended
in 2006.

Maria Otero, the US Under Secretary for Global
Affairs, pledged to provide USD 850,000 assistance to Nepal
Police to improve its security capability, including the
central communication system.

"The U.S. Government has a robust partnership with the
Nepal Police, because we understand that improving law and
order in Nepal and protecting Nepalis` security are essential
tasks for a country coming out of the insecurity of a long
conflict", Otero said.

"A strong and professional police force can be an
immeasurable benefit to Nepal, the top US official
underlined.

In addition to this, the US is funding the
reconstruction of police posts that were destroyed during the
conflict and offering a range of training programmes to the
Nepal Police, including airport security, natural resource
protection, counter-terrorism, international peace keeping,
stopping human trafficking, and respecting human rights,
according to a US Embassy press release.

The top US official provided Inspector General of
Police Ramesh Chandra Thakuri the amount meant for technology
improvement of Nepal Police Command Centre to strengthen its
communication capabilities.

It aims to help the police respond more quickly and
more professionally to citizens around the country and will
thus improve the police?s ability to serve as an information
and coordination leader in the event of natural disaster in
Nepal.

The Maoists, who joined mainstream politics after a
2006 peace deal, formed Nepal`s first post-royal government
in 2008. However, the political instability has given rise to
law and order problem in the country.

Even as the US has reversed its previous policy of not
dealing with the Maoists, Washington is not yet prepared to
strike the former rebels from its terrorist blacklists.

The US government`s continues to designate the
Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a `Specially Designated
Global Terrorist` organisation.

Some 13,000 people were killed in the insurgency
launched by the Maoists in 1996 to install a communist
republic in Nepal.

PTI

Zee News App: Read latest news of India and world, bollywood news, business updates, cricket scores, etc. Download the Zee news app now to keep up with daily breaking news and live news event coverage.
Tags: