Nepal will ensure security for Indian priests: Nirupama Rao

Nepal will take all necessary measures to ensure security for Indian priests at the famous Pashupatinath Temple, who were assaulted by the Maoists' protesting against their appointment, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said today.

Nepal will take all necessary measures to ensure security for Indian priests at the famous Pashupatinath Temple, who were assaulted by the Maoists' protesting against their appointment, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said on Tuesday.

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The Indian foreign secretary, who is on a two-day visit to Kathmandu, said the Nepal government has assured that all measures would be taken to ensure the security of the Indian priests, who were attacked a forthnight ago.

Religious and cultural ties have drawn people of India and Nepal together since time immemorial and the politicisation of this issue would be regrettable and would not be conducive to the atmosphere of good relations, said Rao, who offered prayers at the holy shrine today and met officials of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT).

"The government of Nepal has conveyed its regret over the recent unfortunate incident and they have also assured that all measures would be taken to ensure the security and well being of the Indian priests and continuation of regular prayers at the revered temple," she told journalists in Kathmandu.

The people with whom I have met conveyed their regret at the recent incident involving the unprovoked attack on Indian priests, she said.

The Indian diplomat, however, did not meet the priests as the temple was closed for regular cleaning after morning worship.