The government has registered a bill that allows formation of a counter-intelligence body against those spying against Nepal.
The government is preparing to form the counter-intelligence body through a bill related to special services. The body will remain under the National Investigation Department (NID) currently under the prime minister.
The bill proposes defensive, counter-defensive and retaliatory rights for the body. Separate specialized office will be formed under the NID for counter-intelligence activities.
The government will observe, intercept and monitor audio, video conversations, and electronic signals and details of suspicious individuals, associations or institutions, and keep record of the same for counter-intelligence. The telecommunication and internet service-providers will have to provide such details sought for counter-intelligence purpose.
The bill allows the government to conduct secret campaigns inside and outside the country to collect information for counter-intelligence.
The bill also proposes a central instruction committee to be headed by the PM and including finance, home, defense, and communication ministers, chief secretary and the secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers to formulate policies about counter-intelligence, and to coordinate and direct such counter-intelligence activities.
The bill proposes banning those involved in counter-intelligence from contesting elections, participating in politics and criticizing the government.
