Call for managing security outside of LDT area

Lumbini- A demand has been made for making the security management at Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, more effective. A delegation comprising the office-bearers of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha today and discussed with him on the topic of responsibility of security management outside of the area covered by the LDT master plan.

On the occasion, LDT Vice-Chair Dr Lharkyal Lama called for managing the security outside the LDT master plan area by mobilizing the Armed Police Force (APF), keeping in mind the security sensitivity of Lumbini. Stating that before this a meeting of the LDT had decided on setting up a permanent base of APF and send a file related to the decision to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the LDT Vice Chair drew the Home Minister’s attention for additional initiation to that connection.

During the discussions, Home Minister Shrestha expressed the commitment to take initiatives for establishing the APF’s permanent base camp. With regard to the LDT’s works, he said, further initiatives would be taken with the Ministry concerned for its management and development. Vice-Chair Lama said that they expected cooperation from the federal government in the context of the development of the greater Lumbini area and the implementation of the LDT master plan.

LDT Treasurer Dhundi Raj Bhattarai shared that they have been managing the security within areas covered by LDT master plan through internal resources and urged the government to prioritize this topic in the budget. LDT Member-Secretary Sanu Raja Shakya stressed on the need of strengthening the security mechanism in the LDT as the area is sensitive area. He suggested that the APF should be given the responsibility of security in areas outside of LDT and urged for upgrading the present temporary APF camp in the area into a permanent base.