Kathmandu, October 12

Former deputy inspector general Devendra Subedi has said the government must trust law enforcement agencies and probe committees, which are given responsibility to investigate various cases of crime.

Speaking at the programme ‘Sexual Violence: Reason and Solution’ organised by Sushil Koirala Memorial Foundation here today, Subedi said if police investigators were incriminated, they would hesitate to perform their duty.

He said police had made a serious mistake in Nirmala rape and murder case. “Police have to be accountable, but in this case they seemed less sensitive and irresponsible. Entire police force cannot be blamed for the mistake of one or two individuals. Nepal Police now must work hard to win people’s trust and regain its lost glory,” said Subedi.

He also said record with police had shown that in as many as 80 rape and sexual violence cases, the perpetrators were found drunk. “Around 88 per cent criminals involved in sexual violence have been sent to jail. In the same way, kidnapping cases have increased after 2005/06,” said Subedi, citing data with police.

In the same way, Dr Karuna Kunwar Bistha, a psychologist, said punishment alone would not deter criminals from committing crime in the present context. “Understanding the psychology of criminals and working accordingly will help reduce increasing cases of sexual violence,” she added.

She also said it was a need of the hour to provide sex education to children at home and school as early as from the age of three. Not only girls, but also boys should be given sex education. Charan Prasain, a rights activist, said there shouldn’t be any political interference in cases such as rape and sexual violence.