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Nepal becomes a landmine-free country

Last Updated 04 May 2018, 02:08 IST

After the last remaining anti-personnel landmines planted in Phulchowki of Kathmandu, were cleared by the Nepal Army, Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal declared Nepal as a country free from landmines.

PM Khanal said that the announcement was an important achievement in the peace process.

The Nepal Army personnel have destroyed 257 landmines planted in 53 different locations in the nation.

The prime minister pointed out that the government was committed to implementing and concluding the remaining tasks as mentioned in the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA). After the CPA was signed with the Maoists in 2006, the government had urged both the warring parties (NA and PLA) to submit their “explosives data” within 30 days and clear them within 60 days.

According to the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) between Jan 1, 2006 and June 1, 2011, four persons were killed and 19 injured in mine incidents. During the same period 78 persons were killed and 395 others injured in IED related incidents, according to the data.

UK welcomes step

Meanwhile, the UK Government on Tuesday hailed Nepal for the successful clearance of its last remaining minefields and its designation as a landmine free country.
UK Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne congratulated Nepal, saying that the announcement was a remarkable achievement.

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(Published 14 June 2011, 18:06 IST)

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