The government will file court cases against those detained for their involvement in anti-election activities, a minister said on Tuesday. 

A meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday reviewed the overall security situation for the provincial and federal elections and discussed ways to foil anti-poll activities. 

“The meeting underlined the need of effective coordination among security agencies to foil anti-election activities. It also decided to file court cases against those detained if there is substantial evidence to prove their involvement in anti-election activities,” said Minister for Defence Bhimsen Das Pradhan, adding that others will be freed after strong warnings. 

Various incidents of blast, attack and poll-related violence have been reported in the run-up to the provincial and federal polls, the first of which will be held in 32 districts on Sunday. The second phase polls in 45 districts are scheduled for December 7. 

During the meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, chiefs of security agencies are learnt to have said that the main security threat is from the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal (CPN). The CPN, an offshoot of the CPN (Maoist Centre), is the only force objecting to the polls. Security agencies have said except in a few cases, the Chand-led Maoist party has been behind the attacks on various party leaders and election rallies.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), 305 persons involved in anti-election activities including bombings and assaults on candidates have been arrested in the last three weeks.  

On Tuesday, seven CPN cadres, including the party’s district in-charge Basudev Joshi, were arrested in Baitadi. Similarly, three CPN members were arrested in Kavre. 

A top Home Ministry official hinted at presence of anti-election elements other than the Chand-led CPN in the Tarai region. “We are investigating to find out those behind blasts and attacks in some Madhes districts including Rautahat and Rupandehi,” the official said.  

According to Minister Pradhan, Tuesday’s National Security Council meeting concluded that despite some anti-election activities, situation is well under control. “The law enforcement agencies are taking all possible measures to provide security to candidates, voters and staffers,” said Pradhan. 

The NSC meeting though was scheduled to take place on Sunday, it was held on Tuesday due to the busy schedule of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is also looking after the Home Ministry portfolio. 

‘No plans to appoint home minister’

KATHMANDU: The government has no plans to appoint home minister anytime soon, Minister for Defence Bhimsen Das Pradhan said on Tuesday. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba himself has been looking after the Home Ministry since he stripped CPN (Maoist Centre) Janardan Sharma of the portfolio on October 17. At Tuesday’s National Security Council meeting, PM Deuba assured the chiefs of security agencies that he would be available round-the-clock if they wanted to consult him for security-related issues. “The government does not have any plans to appoint home minister before the elections,” said Pradhan. (PR)