KATHMANDU, JULY 7

A proposal has been brought that directs Nepal Police to look after security issues in Kathmandu valley, including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur, in coordination with the Provincial Police.

The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the House of Representatives has decided to proceed ahead with a bill designed to amend the Nepal Police and the Provincial Police (Operation, Supervision and Coordination) Act, 2019 by adding to it a clause providing responsibility to the province as well.

The addition has been made to Clause 10 of the bill brought for amending the Act, stating that Nepal Police shall carry out works and duties and also exercise the authority of the provincial police in the case of Kathmandu valley. It shall also investigate offences to be investigated by the Provincial Police.

Similarly, sub-clause 2 stipulates that there shall be police offices under Nepal Police in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts to carry out works to be done by Nepal Police for that purpose.

The committee members had brought amendment proposal, citing that the above provisions narrowed the role of the Provincial Police and were against the schedule of the constitution.

Committee Secretary Babita Mishra said an agreement had been forged in the Committee meeting today to add a point in the clause requiring coordination with the Provincial Police regarding the security of Kathmandu valley.

She said investigation of offences related to immigration to be carried out by the Nepal Police had been retained in Clause 2.

Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand and Home Secretary Tek Narayan Pandey were also present in the committee's meeting today.

On the occasion, Home Minister Khand said the amendment had been brought as the responsibility of the security of Kathmandu valley had to be fulfilled in a serious manner.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 8, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.