Nepal’s democracy faces internal security challenges by a messy political legacy and shortfalls in professionalism. Qualitative decision making capacity, courage, and patriotism cannot be expected from an unprofessional command

A secure society is often understood as a civilized society. In a civilized society there is psychological assurance of security of life and property of individuals.

But these are not the results of free gifts from the government. Behind these, there are sacrifices of the security forces. The security dilemma has been shifting from conventional military statecraft and is increasingly replaced by international relation, foreign policy, global governance and international security.

Hence, safety and security are the foremost prerequisites and obligations of a sovereign nation.

Changes in communication system and environment awareness have altered the world and Nepal too. Vision and behavior of the leadership seem to be the same in Nepal, where injustice, insecurity and imbalance have prevailed.

Many committees were formed and their reports submitted, assurance of implementation was given but the people never sensed improvement. Emerging international issues of globalization, diversity, environmental degradation, knowledge management, poverty, unemployment, food security, water-energy scarcity, infectious diseases, internal conflict, inter-state conflict, genocide, weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, ethnic conflicts, cybercrime, and human trafficking are terrifying countries like Nepal.

The government seems irresponsible with further deterioration in the status of technical backwardness, political instability, economy and poor governance.

Intelligence towards anticipating security disaster is needed. Forecasting capacity and developing it for national security are a must. The co-ordination among government agencies in the field is disappointing.

The triangular domination of smugglers and tycoons from China, Nepal and India, is also evolving as an undercurrent by launching human trafficking, illegal supplies of gold, dollar, red sandalwood, counterfeit currency, thus affecting the security administration.

The performance and morale of security forces are damaged by politicization and appointment of incompetent command. Some orders given by the Supreme Court are not being implemented properly. Series of writs on “contempt” are against the decision taken by security authorities.

It has been compelled to pay more for new “recruitment to retirement”. Economically it is a burden on the national treasury. Psychologically it is breaking the cohesiveness, discouraging efficiency, which is in contradiction to the norms of equality and equity.

It is a lethal force with rampant corruption and lack of responsiveness.

Issues of withdrawal of criminal cases pending in the courts; confusion about the role and implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Inquiry into Disappearances; mounting intensity of crimes; human trafficking, proliferation of small arms, illicit drug business, mushrooming INGOs; alarming prostitution, internally displaced persons; lack of responsiveness in post-earthquake management; immature diplomacy, disqualified Maoist militants -- all these saddened the victims of Maoist insurgency, disappointed security personnel who escaped from regular forces; weak justice system, disputes among security agencies; rampant corruption, depressed conflict management, misuse of some mass medias; poor governance, brain-drain, youth-drain, transnational crimes and border encroachments are other critical dimensions and key loopholes.

Nepal’s democracy faces internal security challenges by a messy political legacy and shortfalls in professionalism. Qualitative decision making capacity, courage, and patriotism cannot be expected from an unprofessional command.

Various studies have found that there is the need of transformational leadership followed by participative/democratic, authentic and strategic models. The study sought the need of a system based policing ‘intelligence-led’ and ‘police public partnership’.

Border issues along with imbalanced treaties must be managed with mutual benefit and understanding in the capacity of a sovereign nation. Federalism must not be interlinked with a particular community. One security force should not be an alternative to another but rather complementary.

Chiefs of police forces should be members of the National Security Council by the establishment of an “Internal Security Services Commission”. “Security for sustainable development” as a shifting paradigm based on the principles of accountability, responsiveness, decentralization, and empowerment could be a meaningful approach in security management. “SSRD: Security Sector Restructuring and Development” in terms of well defined laws, role and responsibility, procedure, operational mobility, deployment can be effective.

While rapid political changes took place, economic growth, national resources and the policy environment remain crippled by structural weaknesses and disjointedness; extreme inequalities; increasing the crisis of capacity and credibility.

The process of ideal change and development is complex but possible with the transformational leadership enhancing lasting peace, reliable security and sustainable development.

The universal values, norms and legal procedures can be the tools to tighten the national security forces for trustworthy professional service delivery.

Shrestha is Additional I.G. (Retd), APF, Nepal.