The government has handed over the security responsibility in vital installations, including prisons, airports and major project sites, to Nepal Army.

The security of vital installations was being overseen by Nepal Police and Armed Police (APF) Force so far.

A Cabinet meeting of September 7 had decided to handover the task of guarding vital installations to the Army, according to the proposal tabled by the Home Ministry.

As per the decision the Army will be in charge of security duty at major project sites, airports, oil stations, prisons and major government offices, among others.

The decision was made considering the shortfall of police and APF personnel in regular security duty, said Laxmi Prasad Dhakal, spokesperson at the ministry.

The government has decided to mobilise more than 1,500 soldiers to guard vital installations across the country. The Army will be assisted by some APF troops in the security task.  

A large number of police and APF personnel have been deployed to several Tarai districts after the security situation was compromised due to the protest against the proposed federal set-up. After eight security personnel were killed in one of the protests in Tikapur, Kailali, on August 24, the government had decided to mobilise the Army in Kailali and several other Tarai districts, designating them as riot-affected zones.