Minister for Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa has directed security agencies to effectively implement the ban imposed on the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal.

During a provincial level security meeting organised in Pokhara on Sunday, Thapa instructed chiefs of various security agencies to not compromise on maintaining the peace and security of the country. According to a participant of the security meet, Thapa was focused on the Chand outfit and its activities.

“Any illegal activities that pose a security challenge should be brought under the law. Do not compromise with anyone over the issue of peace and security,” the source quoted the home minister as saying.

Thapa also defended the government’s decision to impose a ban on the Chand outfit. “The government has banned the group as its activities are against peace, security and development of the country. Hopefully, the group will join mainstream politics by giving up violent activities,” said Thapa. Referring to CK Raut without naming him, Thapa said the government was successful in bringing a separatist group to mainstream politics.

CPN leader surrenders

SINDHULI: A leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) led by Netra Bikram Chand surrendered at the District Administration Office on Sunday and announced to quit the party organisation. Prem Bahadur Shrestha, deputy chief of the CPN-affiliated Tamsaling Swayatta Pradesh, said he decided to quit the group as he disagreed with the violent activities undertaken by the outfit. Shrestha, a resident of Khadadevi-1 in Ramechhap district, operates a brick kiln at Sunkoshi Rural Municipality-5 in Sindhuli.