Around 1,000 security personnel are being deployed outside the Constituent Assembly (CA) building in New Baneshwor on Thursday, the deadline for the promulgation of a new constitution which by now is highly unlikely. Given the increasing polarisation between the major political parties over the constitution-writing process and the recent spate of violence that erupted inside and outside the CA Hall, the government is stepping up security around the CA building and in areas that have been designated as prohibited zones. Nepal Police will deploy over 450 officers around the CA building while an equal number of Armed Police Force personnel will accompany them to secure the perimeter from possible incidents of violence.

A three-layer security ring has been planned to stave off protesters from breaking inside the prohibited zones. The security personnel will be armed with water cannons, tear gas shells, and rubber bullets. Inside the CA building, the government has already increased the number of marshals to 250 from 95 following the unruly behavior displayed by the lawmakers on Monday midnight in which furniture and mics were vandalized. One official said that the number of marshals will be increased as per the need.

Similarly, around 30 police will be stationed at each entrance of the CA building. Three deputy inspector generals (DIG) from the Nepal Police and the APF will coordinate security arrangements. DIG Hemanta Pal from Metropolitan Police Commissioners Office and APF DIG Durga Kunwar will command the personnel stationed outside the CA building while Nepal Police DIG Madhusudan Pudasaini will be in charge of the security inside the CA building. Sources at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) said since it is clear that the constitution will not be issued on Thursday, the security personnel will have a tough job of controlling the disgruntled mobs.

There is also a chance of clashes between the cadres of the ruling and the opposition parties. Members of the opposition alliance, led by UCPN (Maoist), have already taken to the streets, demanding that the voting process should not be initiated to settle the disputed issues of constitution writing, as proposed by the leaders of the ruling parties—Nepali Congress and CPN-UML. The activists of the ruling parties are also planning to demonstrate, demanding that the voting process should be commenced without further delay. The MoHA has also directed its subordinate bodies across the country to keep an eye on some Limbuwan outfits in eastern Hill districts, pro-Hindu organizations, and some Janajati groups. It has also instructed the security agencies to monitor the activities of some Tarai outfits.