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Kathmandu, November 3 – Officials in Nepal have identified released prisoners and stolen arms as significant concerns before the parliamentary elections on March 5.

During a security review and election readiness meeting held at the Nepali Army headquarters on Sunday, the leaders mentioned that the events of September 9, where thousands of prisoners escaped from various prisons and weapons were stolen, presented a significant challenge to election security. They highlighted the importance of both independent and coordinated efforts to retrieve the stolen arms, recapture the escaped prisoners, and prevent groups that are disrupting public order.

The meeting was chaired by Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel, with participation from Inspector General of Nepal Police Chandra Kuber Khapung, Inspector General Raju Aryal of the Armed Police Force, and National Investigation Department Chief Tekendra Karki. The conversation focused on the present security conditions and plans for election preparations.

A representative at the meeting mentioned that the heads of the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and National Investigation Department provided updates on current operations and difficulties, highlighting escaped prisoners and stolen arms as the primary security issues.

Over the past few weeks, the military, police force, and paramilitary units have conducted coordinated patrols across the country to ensure stability. “The atmosphere has been volatile since the unrest in September, which also affected the morale of security officers,” stated a high-ranking military official. “The patrols are intended to bring back normal conditions, enhance cooperation between agencies, and reduce public anxiety regarding escaped prisoners and stolen arms. The response has been favorable, and the meeting on Sunday centered on maintaining these initiatives together.”

The agencies have reached an agreement to set up election security command centers and manage deployments, with a subsequent review scheduled for the next meeting. The government, Election Commission, and security forces are preparing for the March 5 elections.

Maintaining a free, fair, and secure election continues to present significant difficulties. Over 1,200 police weapons were stolen during the September disturbances, with more than 500 still not located. Approximately 100,000 rounds of ammunition are also unaccounted for in police records.

Out of 14,043 prisoners who escaped from 28 prisons and youth facilities, more than 5,000 are still at large.

Over 400 police stations and offices were damaged by fire or acts of vandalism, with most continuing operations from temporary or compromised locations. The Armed Police Force indicated that 62 of its buildings sustained damage. Police headquarters estimates the loss of personal property alone to exceed Rs 220 million.

The military has come under scrutiny for not protecting essential public and political locations, such as Parliament, the Supreme Court, the President’s Office, the Prime Minister’s home, Singha Durbar, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, and various party headquarters and private structures that were burned during the turmoil.

Amid this context, senior security officials assessed the general situation and examined steps to enhance national security and rebuild public trust before the March elections, according to a high-ranking police official.