Home Minister Aryal enquires about security arrangements in Pashupati area

Kathmandu, Feb 14: Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal reached the Pashupatinath Area this evening on the eve of the Mahashivaratri festival and inquired about the security arrangements made for devotees there.     

On the occasion, Treasurer of Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) Shreedhar Sapkota briefed Home Minister Aryal about the ongoing preparations.     

Minister Aryal was accompanied by Home Secretary Raj Kumar Shrestha, chiefs of security bodies, Chief of Security and Coordination Division of the Ministry, Chief District Officer of Kathmandu and other high-ranking officials of the ministry.     

In course of briefing about security arrangements, Chief of Kathmandu Police Ramesh Thapa shared that a total of 6,000 security personnel from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepal and National Investigation Department would be assigned in the Pashupatinath Area.     

A total of 1,200 security personnel would be deputed in each shift, he added.     

Similarly, a help desk has been established in coordination with local levels, PADT, Nepal Scout and security bodies as well as police personnel in plain clothes would be mobilized to curb possible cases of robbery, theft, drug abuse and misbehaviour, shared Chief Thapa.     

Minister Aryal directed the bodies concerned to make arrangements for devotees for easy and smooth visit of devotees, while ensuring total arrangements for security provisions.     

According to the PADT, around 700,000 devotees are expected to pay homage to Pashupatinath on the occasion of the Shivaratri festival this year. All four doors of Pashupatinath temple would remain open from 2:00 am on Sunday in order to facilitate pilgrims for their easy homage.(RSS)