The government is facing criticism from various quarters following publication of the news reports.
"There is no plan to use journalists as informers in the special security plan," said Minister Rawal. "Journalists have been made a part of the security plan to help disseminate information, but not to get information from them."
He said that the government does not have any plan to use journalists as sources of information. "Our objective is to effectively disseminate information collected in the ministry´s control room," he added.
The home minister also said that the government is ready to revoke the plan if media fraternity feels that it is against their interests. "The main objective of the security plan is to ensure public safety," he said. "There is no bad intention behind the government plan to make journalists a part of the security plan."
The government has planned to hire journalists as a part of the security plan on contract basis and also pay remuneration to them.
Addressing a press meet organized at the ministry, Rawal also said that the incidents of road obstruction, strikes, kidnappings and extortions are on declining trend with the launch of the special security plan.
He informed that Armed Police Force (APF) personnel have been mobilized recently in 10 various districts in the eastern hills and that the government is doing necessary homework to deploy APF personnel in the mountain districts of Mustang and Manang.
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