Taskforce planned for airport security

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 17: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that the government plans to form a taskforce comprising experts and representatives from stakeholder organisations to enhance the security system at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

Addressing a meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar on Wednesday, the Prime Minister called TIA the gateway to the nation and informed that the taskforce would be given the mandate to assess the security situation and submit a report for the government to act on.

He also called for taking concrete steps to strengthen security at the airport. The meeting was held to discuss the security mechanism in place at TIA and the measures the government needs to implement.

Prime Minister Prachanda stressed the need to review the present situation. "We must focus on rectifying the shortcomings of the past. We must move forward by learning from our mistakes and emphasise on improving our structure, and working procedure," he said.

In the discussion, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Purna Bahadur Khadka said that crime and criminals were making use of modern technologies. He pointed out the need to develop a new security system based on a serious study of the country's present security situation and challenges. 

Khadka also reiterated the government's tough stance on crime. 

Minister for Finance Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat said that inter-agency cooperation was important to ensure effective security. He also asked for all state bodies to have provisions for rewards and punishments.

On the occasion, Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs Dinesh Bhattarai delivered a presentation on the security of the nation's airports, responsibility of concerned organisations, security challenges and issues the government must keep an eye on. He briefed the Prime Minister that overall security situation of the country was normal.

Cabinet ministers, high-ranking government officials, heads of security agencies and representatives of various government bodies were present at the meeting called by the Prime Minister.