RAUTAHAT, Oct. 7: Madhesh Province Police has introduced a special security plan for the upcoming Dashain and Tihar festivals, focusing on preventing criminal activities, theft and smuggling, road accidents and managing large crowds during the festive period.
A total of 7,229 police personnel will be deployed across all eight districts of Madhesh Province, according to Madhesh Province Police Spokesperson SSP Prabhu Prasad Dhakal.
The festival-focused security arrangement will come into effect from Ashoj 29, with 1,511 duty locations designated across the eight districts.
Dhanusha will see the largest deployment, with 2,597 police personnel. Similarly, 870 personnel will be deployed in Bara, 863 in Rautahat, 857 in Saptari, 792 in Sarlahi, 747 in Mahottari, 662 in Parsa and 652 in Siraha, Dhakal said.
Mobile and foot patrols, QRTs and pickets
The security plan includes regular police deployment as well as district reserve forces, Quick Response Teams (QRTs), striking teams, traffic checks, mobile patrols and foot patrols. Police pickets will also be established at locations considered sensitive or vulnerable.
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According to the security plan, separate teams will be mobilized for highway patrols, passenger assistance desks, controlling theft and smuggling at border points, and securing religious and tourist sites. Police will also conduct market monitoring and deploy teams for crowd control and search operations, rallies and demonstrations, and emergency security situations.
Disaster response teams will also be mobilized during the festive period. Help desks at border points will provide necessary assistance to passengers and the general public, according to the police.
Border points and crowded areas under close watch
Police are preparing to increase surveillance along the Nepal-India border as the movement of people is expected to rise significantly during the festivals.
The security plan has also prioritized preventing smuggling and the illegal transportation of goods through the open border.
Religious sites, fairs, markets and other crowded locations are expected to receive additional security, as the risk of theft, robbery and people going missing can increase during Dashain and Tihar.
Police have also identified drowning incidents in rivers and ponds, accidents caused by large crowds, road accidents and traffic congestion as potential security challenges during the festive period.
Crackdown on fireworks, gambling and substance abuse
The security plan also addresses the risks associated with firecrackers and fireworks, which can cause fires during the festivals. Police will monitor gambling, card games and illegal betting, as well as the consumption and sale of alcohol and other substances.
Dhakal said police would also increase surveillance of incidents of quarrels, physical assaults, domestic violence and robbery that may occur as a result of alcohol consumption.
Special attention will be given to Deusi-Bhailo events, cultural programs and DJ activities, particularly at night, as they could create challenges for maintaining peace and security. Police have also identified the possibility of local disputes and social tensions arising from religious programs, rallies and the use of loudspeakers as potential risks.
The protection of women, children and senior citizens has also been included in the security plan, particularly to prevent people from going missing and cases of abuse in crowded places.
Police will also prioritize controlling the transportation and sale of illegal liquor, narcotics and other prohibited substances during the festive period.
In addition, police will monitor black marketing, artificial shortages and price hikes, as well as activities aimed at creating tension by spreading rumors through social media.
Madhesh Province Police said security arrangements would be strengthened beyond regular duties through the establishment of command posts, joint patrols, plainclothes intelligence gathering and emergency deployments. The police have said the deployment and surveillance will be made more effective by anticipating potential security challenges during the festive period.
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