500 police deployed for VVIP security, vital installations

KATHMANDU, Feb 29: As part of bolstered security in Kathmandu Valley in the wake of the bomb explosion that killed three persons on Monday, police have started raiding suspect houses and hotels from Tuesday evening.

Kathmandu Metropolitan Commissioner´s Office has deployed an additional 500 police personnel at VVIP residences, vital installations and other sensitive sites in Kathmandu Valley, informed SSP Ravi Raj Shrestha of Metropolitan Police Commissioner´s Office, Ranipokhari.[break]

SSP Shrestha said special security has been arranged at places where VVIP movements occur and close vigilance has been maintained in sensitive areas. “Police will raid suspect houses and hotels from Tuesday evening,” he further said.

The police personnel deployed at the southern gate of Singha Durbar had thoroughly checked bags and vehicles and made body searches--more thoroughly than on normal days-- before people were allowed to enter Singha Durbar. Similarly, passengers of vehicles entering the premises were asked to come out with their belongings for checking--something never done before.

Security was tightened in the vicinity of Kathmandu District Court and Nepal Oil Corporation head office at Babarmahal.

Those visiting Kathmandu District Court were not allowed to park their vehicles inside the main gate and their bags were also checked thoroughly. Prior to the bomb incident, visitors could park vehicles inside the main entrance to the court.

Police conducted vigorous checks on all suspect vehicles and persons throughout the day and mobilized eight Quick Response Team bikes, 61 Control Room Vehicles, several cycle patrols and plain-clothes police in areas considered sensitive.

Police took sniffer dogs to the Constituent Assembly building, the airport area and the surroundings of the prime minister´s official residence at Baluwatar as a part of beefed-up security, according to SSP Shrestha.

Police have also stepped up security checking at the main entry points into the Valley.

Four injured discharged

Four of the seven bomb-blast injured, who are undergoing treatment at Bir Hospital, had been discharged by Tuesday evening.

Those discharged include Lal Bahadur Tamang, Bhim Bahadur Kunwar, Man Bahadur Kunwar and Bishnu Pulami, according to hospital sources.

Likewise, three other injured--Som Bahadur Tamang of Bara district, Bishnu Prasad Pulara of Dhangadhi and Basu Shrestha of Luvu, Lalitpur -- are still undergoing treatment at Bir.

While Pulara and Shrestha are out of danger, the condition of Tamang is critical, according to doctors involved in the treatment.