New Security Regulation draws flak from opposition

June 19, 2001
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Kathmandu, June 19: The government Tuesday announced new Public Security Regulation restricting strikes,  demonstrations and other types of violent activities in the country. The new Public Security Regulation-2001, which comes in place of Public Security Regulation 1989, authorises the local administration to restrict any type of activities that aim at creating violence, hatred in the society, terrorising people and jeopardising, sovereignty national unity and territorial integrity of the country. The spokesman at the Ministry of Home said that the new measures were taken to maintain law and order, peace, security and stability in the country.

The new regulation allows the government to restrict movement, take any body into preventive custody and put in house arrest. However, opposition parties have condemned the new regulation describing it as an “undemocratic and unconstitutional move”. Opposition parties have asked the government to immediately withdraw this new Public Security Regulation. CPN-UML and other five leftist parties issued a statement today criticising the government for bringing this new Regulation and asked the government to withdraw it.

Meanwhile the ruling Nepali Congress supported the new move of the government. An emergency meeting of the Nepali Congress Central Committee that was held Tuesday described the new Public Security Regulation as a move to protect life and property of the people and maintain security and stability in the country.