The government has beefed up security in the capital city, especially around the Bouddhanath and Swoyambhunath stupa areas to thwart possible protests by the Tibetan refugees on the eve of the 55th anniversary of their failed uprising.

Following special directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the police have deployed more security personnel both in civvies and uniform, besides increasing vigilance on sensitive areas and suspicious people in the run up to the anniversary, which falls on March 10. 

Some raids have also been carried out in ´protest prone´ areas, though no arrest has been made so far, according to the police. 
Police spokesperson SSP Ganesh KC said, “We will not allow any political event in the name of refugees in Nepal. We have deployed adequate number of police personnel to tackle the possible demonstrations in the city.” 

According to police sources, 800 Nepal Police and some Armed Police Force personnel will be deployed at Bouddhanath, Swoyambhunath and also at Baluwatar and Hattisar areas where the Chinese embassy and its consular office are located. 

The police have launched a special operation from March 2 keeping in view of the protest in Nepal and the operation will be continued till the end of March. 
“In comparison to the previous years, we are deploying more security personnel and better technological backup this time as the stakes are higher due to possible self-immolation by the refugees,” said DSP Shyam Singh Chaudhary, Chief at Metropolitan Police Circle Office, Bouddha. 

Fourteen fire extinguishers and 16 fire blankets are kept standby to protect lives of the refugees if they try to set themselves in fire in and around the Bouddhanath area. 
Besides two platoons (60 police personnel), which are keeping an eye on the activities of the refugees, 15 CCTV cameras have been installed to monitor the stupa premises round-the-clock from the control room based at Bouddha Police Office. 

Similar arrangements have been made in other sensitive areas. The police have also carried out raids and checked identities of the guests at the hotels at Bouddha. 
“We have not made any arrest so far,” DSP Chaudhary said late into Saturday evening. 

DSP Dayanidhi Gyawali, Chief of Metropolitan Police, Swoyambhu, said, “The situation is under control and the surveillance system is in place to thwart possible protest.” 
According to police sources, security personnel have also been mindful of the possible use of physically disabled and chronically ill persons and monks in self-immolation. 
The police are being cautious as a physically challenged monk had tried to ´self-immolate´ last August in the premises of the Bouddhanath Stupa. 

Meanwhile the police have also joined hands with the local residents as well as Buddhist organizations and individuals to discourage violent activities such as ´self-immolation´ in the world heritage sites such as Bouddhnath and Swyambhunath. 

“Of the 18 stupas at Swyambhunath area, two stupas are inhabited by some Tibetans and we are keeping a close watch on them,” DSP Gywali informed. 
The locals have also been requested to immediately inform the police in case of any suspicious activities, he added.

March 10 is celebrated as ´Revolutionary Day´ since 1959 in the memory of the failed Tibetan uprising that made their spiritual leader Dalai Lama to flee into exile.  

Published on: 9 March 2014 | Republica