Kathmandu, July 31 The Armed Police Force has decided to expand its presence to all 77 districts from existing 45 in line with the paramilitary force’s federal set-up. The gulmas (companies) and posts to be established in all districts will be headed by a battalion. DIG Babu Ram Pandey, APF spokesperson, said a decision to this effect was made to further strengthen peace and security in the country and to perform its role mandated by the existing law in a more effect manner. Its major roles include controlling armed conflict, terrorist, riot and separatist activities; assisting search, rescue and relief operation during disasters; providing border security; and protecting vital public installations, infrastructures and other facilities, among others. “APF is all set to establish its brigade in Kathmandu valley and all seven provinces. Similarly, all provinces will have one training centre each and 87 border observation posts will be converted into battalion as per the international standards. We are preparing to request the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide necessary human resources,” he informed. Currently, the Armed Police Force has regional hospitals in Province 1 and Province 6. “We will gradually establish hospital in the remaining five provinces soon,” DIG Pandey said. He also informed that it was planning to create a ‘women only company’ to attract more women to the paramilitary force and promote gender balance. The Armed Police Force has a strength of total 37,117 personnel, including 2,000 women now. Of the total strength, around 9,000 personnel are deployed in the field on a daily basis. “For the first time, the APF has made a provision of unit transfer from one place to another instead of transferring individual employees to strengthen the chain of command and ensure equitable distribution of opportunity in the security agency. It may be applicable from constables to sub-inspectors for the time being,” he said. The paramilitary force has also decided to prioritise maximum use of technology and less paper system. Meanwhile, the APF said it intercepted contraband worth around Rs 38.9 million and arrested 183 persons across the country over a period of three months. The suspects were handed over to the concerned police office for further investigation. It also seized a huge amount of prescription drugs. DIG Pandey said the APF had given due priority to the mobilisation of its trained forces for search, rescue and relief operation during monsoon related disasters. They were deployed in 623 incidents of natural disasters in the past three months and rescued 1,203 persons and recovered 241 bodies.