Kathmandu, Oct 15: Hinting at elections in the near future, Nepal Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa has instructed security agencies to step up anti-terror operations aimed at destroying Maoist military bases. The government had begun preparations to set up a unified command post comprising Royal Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and civil police to combat terrorism effectively, Thapa said at a meeting of security chiefs here.
Asking political parties to prepare for elections, he told reporters yesterday the government was capable of holding polls and those in politics should face them. The government was committed to hold both local and parliamentary polls, he said without specifying a date.
A source close to Thapa said the government would first hold elections to the civic bodies, polls for which could not be held for over 18 months due to security problems.
Addressing the security chiefs in the capital, Thapa stressed on the need to enhance coordination among the security agencies to intensify the ongoing operation against the Maoist rebels. Security forces were capable enough to create an atmosphere for elections, and there is no alternative to elections, Thapa was quoted as saying a Nepalese daily.
Thapa also assured adequate financial support to the security agencies for the operations.
The Nepal premier also instructed security forces to step up operations in the Terai belt and foil the Maoists' dream of controlling the east-west highway in the region. Bureau Report