Chitwan, May 25 :Inspector General of Nepal Police, Sarbandra Khanal has said the police force would be driven ahead as partner in building safe society and development works. Inaugurating the Tourist Police Office at Patihani of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-22 here on Saturday, he said the police is dedicated to creating an environment wherein the society would trust the police.
He said the Tourism Police has been set up for the security and support of tourists as well as the general public, adding it was necessary to make the tourist city safer for the visitors. “Tourism would be promoted only when the visitors coming to the touristic area feel safe and secure,” he observed. IGP Khanal shared that Nepal Police, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, was preparing to install CCTV cameras at the 100 tourist destinations announced by the government.
Chief District Officer of Chitwan, Jeetendra Basnet, the Bharatpur Metropolitan City chief administrative officer Netra Prasad Subedi, among those addressing the programme spoke on the crucial role of tourist police in promoting tourism. Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Ward No 22 chair Bishnu Raj Mahato presided over the programme. The Tourist Police Office at Patihani would be manned by six police personnel under the leadership of an Assistant Sub-Inspector rank officer.
Patihani lies in west Chitwan. Three three-star hotels are in the process of operation here while five big hotels are already in operation. There are about 24 small hotels in this area. It is said the number of tourists coming to this area has increased by 25 per cent this year as compared to the previous years. Patihani is close to Kasara, where the main office of Chitwan National Park is located.
It is the best place for observing the rare one-horned rhino, the Royal Bengal Tiger and other wildlife and birds. Patihani is one among the 100 tourist destinations declared by the government.