Kathmandu, May 10
Chief of the Metropolitan Police Range, Kathmandu, SSP Chhabilal Joshi, has said the “prime threat” to local level elections in Kathmandu district is the CPN Maoist party, led by Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’.
“He [Biplav] has announced to foil the elections and some subsequent activities have been on the surface,” Joshi told Onlinekhabar, “The group planted some suspicious objects at a ward office in Patan yesterday.”
“They can plant bombs, or can create bomb hoaxes. Possibilities of hit and run are also present.”
However, police have already identified people associated with the party and have kept a close eye on them, he claimed.
Other challenges to the elections in Kathmandu are some Hindu and royalist extremist groups who have been carrying out various activities in the name of Shahi Sena, Shiva Sena, Rastrabadi Nagarik and Purano Shakti, Joshi informed, adding, “But, their influence is not much strong. Nevertheless, we cannot ignore.”
Meanwhile, the police official said police had been identifying and arresting gangsters who could affect security arrangements for local level elections.
Police would not bow down to political pressure to release them, he said, “Their political affiliation is not our concern. Our concern is their activities.”
He assured that Kathmandu voters could cast their votes in a peaceful and fearless environment.
