Management of airport security needs massive change: PM Dahal

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said time has come to overhaul the airport security management citing that it is the first gateway to national security.

Addressing a discussion on 'airport security management and government's move' at the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Wednesday, he stressed on taking concrete steps for stringent security at the airport. "We're holding serious discussions and evaluating the situation so that past mistakes would not be repeated. Learning from the past is essential. Old thoughts, structure, work style and responsibility need change."

Time has come for rigorous study and review of entire security management at TIA, he said, adding that a task force would be formed for the study and move as per its report.

On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka viewed new technology and techniques have brought new dimension in crime. A new security arrangement is required to break the crime network, according to him.

Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat said the coordination among state mechanism should be made further effective and smooth for security. Reward and punishment should be ensured, he added.

Home Secretary Dinesh Bhattarai made a presentation on status of airport security management and responsibilities of related offices, challenges and way ahead. Bhattarai argued that entire security of the country was in normal state at present.

The meeting was attended by ministers, national security advisors, chief secretary, chiefs of security agencies, Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, ministry secretaries, department chiefs, among others.

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