Sports
Gandaki Province has tightened security in the region for the ninth National Games, especially at the competition venues and hotels hosting the participating players and officials.
Around 8,000 athletes, coaches and officials are participating in the Games that are taking place in eight districts of Gandaki Province. Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun is scheduled to inaugurate the Games at the Pokhara Stadium on Friday.
A total of 1,300 personnel from the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been mobilised as per a security action plan for a safe, orderly and dignified organisation of the Games.
Deputy Inspector General Ram Dutta Joshi, the coordinator of the Games Security Sub-Committee, said they had instructed the personnel to ensure the 'error-free' safety of participating players, spectators, and VIP guests.
Security personnel will be deployed at all competition venues and hotels where the athletes and officials are staying, DIG Joshi said. “We’ve instructed the personnel to report on time in the event of accidents and security challenges.”
Nepal Police, Armed Police, National Investigation Bureau, and Nepali Army will provide security during the competition. Nepal Police and APF personnel will patrol the Games venues, while the Army will provide protection for the VVIPs.
According to DIG Joshi, 1,100 personnel from Nepal Police and 200 from Armed Police Force will be mobilised daily in the eight districts where the competition will be held for seven days - from the Games' opening to the closing ceremony.
Apart from this, security arrangements have been made by deploying more police as needed. Similarly, a team of 25 personnel will be on 'stand-by' in the district police office - ready for immediate deployment if more help is required. "We have prepared and implemented a joint security plan to ensure foolproof security to the National Games."
Gandaki Province Police Chief Joshi said: "We will provide security by keeping a close watch on the main stadium, competition grounds, VVIP motorcades, traffic management."
Metal detectors will be placed with security personnel in plain clothes will be on duty at checkpoints, the police chief said. The District Security Committee has also prepared a joint security plan for Games venues other than Pokhara.
According to the police, there is no 'security threat' as there is support from the general public for the National Games. "Nepal Police personnel are stationed at competition venues as some sports have already started before the official opening. A security team under the command of an officer has provided security at the venue," said DIG Joshi.
The sub-committee, headed by DIG Joshi, includes an SSP from Armed Police Force, SP from the District Police Office and National Investigation Bureau, and a Nepal Army colonel. Also on the committee are the head of the security division at Pokhara metropolis and sports officials.
While DIG Joshi heads the overall security command of the Games, SSP Dilliraj Pant will oversee the field security, coordinating with other security agencies.
According to Laxman Yogi, head of the Western Regional Sports Development Committee and secretary at the Games Security Sub-committee, CCTV cameras have been installed at the entrance to the stadium and other sports venues. Besides, the National Sports Council has mobilised private security guards and volunteers.
