Nepal

Security has been stepped across the capital city of Kathmandu to ensure an incident-free Deepawali, Nepal Sambat and Chhath celebrations, the District Administration Office Kathmandu has said.

In a public notice issued on Tuesday, Chief District Officer of Kathmandu Ghanshyam Upadhyay said arrangements had been made to rule out any untoward incidents during the festival. 

CDO Upadhyay said that all three district administration offices of the valley had implemented the festival-targeted security plan. "There is no report of emergency situation. The festival security plan is being implemented with high security alert."

In the notice, the DAO has announced that deusi-bhailo programmes can be organised in the valley till 10 pm during Tihar. 

According to CDO Upadhyay, following citizens' requests, the three DAOs have agreed to extend the deusi-bhailo deadline to 10 pm from the previous 9 pm.

Earlier on Friday, the DAO, Kathmandu had issued a notice urging the public to wrap up deusi-bhailo programmes by 9 pm. 

Claiming that it has been keeping a close watch to discourage such activities, the DAO has said gambling-related activities are under control.  

The DAO has also urged the public to celebrate Deepawali, Nepal Samvat and Chhath festivals per social norms while adhering to the prevailing laws.

On this occasion, the administration has also requested to celebrate Deepawali in a safe and dignified manner, asking the members of the public not to consume alcohol in public places and to exercise utmost care while using materials such as electric lamps and candles during the Deepawali. 

Issuing a warning against transportation, sales and distribution of firecrackers, among other inflammable materials, the DAO said, "Action will be taken against anyone not complying with this notice pursuant to the prevailing law."