KATHMANDU: The security situation in Kathmandu Valley’s three districts, namely Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur, has become challenging with the ever-changing political situation and the social milieu. The places where regular commercial transactions take place, secluded areas inhabited by single families and places without transportation and telecommunication facilities have become most vulnerable to criminal activities. Minor thefts, burglaries, property-related crimes, murders, extortion, prostitution and drug-peddling have become rampant. Criminal activities carried out in public areas — looting of passengers using public transport, devotees in temples and cases of pick-pocketing — are also rising. After committing crime in the Kathmandu Valley, criminals cross over to the bordering districts — Dhading, Nuwakot, Makwanpur, Kavre and Sindhupalchok — making it tough for the cops to nab them. Criminal trend Since the valley has many areas vulnerable to crime, incidents of murder, burglary and rape, which were more prevalent in the Tarai areas earlier, have become a norm in the capital. In addition, crimes like kidnapping, robbery and car and motorcycle thefts are also rising in the valley. Economic and financial frauds and cyber related criminal activities are also rising at an alarming rate. Administrative challenges It is apparent that these criminal activities are gradually developing into organised crime supported by budding syndicates. In the wake of armed violence prevalent in the country, there has been a rise in smuggling of small firearms and other weapons. These activities have become one of the main causes for the growing crime rate in Nepal. Growing population, rapid urbanisation and influx of motor vehicles are also the main reasons behind the rising crime in the Kathmandu Valley. The basic infrastructural development has not kept pace with the growing population and vehicular traffic in the Kathmandu Valley, which lacks proper roads, footpaths for pedestrians and street lamps. This, in turn, has led to an increase in the number of accidents. Moreover, high illiteracy rate, coupled with abject poverty, has led to a rise in anti-social activities, such as prostitution, illegal gambling, sale of adulterated liquor, drugs and use of light weapons and firearms. This has become a nightmare for the law enforcing agencies, who are finding it increasingly difficult to monitor and control the situation. And to make matters worse, organised crime is at times shielded by influential and politically connected persons.

Security challenges in the Kathmandu Valley

• National and international mafia dons possibly using areas in the capital to take refuge. • Narcotic dealers, currency counterfeiters and human traffickers using places in the capital as transit points. • Criminal elements using places in the capital to plan illegal activities in the neighbouring countries. • Using science and technology to nab criminals and check criminal activities. Organised crime • Organised criminal gangs indulging in kidnapping and demanding ransom. • People who have been cheated by foreign employment agents, unemployed youths, drug addicts and those with ambition to get rich overnight are involved in organised crime. Crime-control plan • To strengthen Nepal Police intelligence, information gathering, security analysis and communication. • To break organised crime syndicates. • To break contact and communication among criminal groups. • To expose those who protect criminal elements. As the role of developed security intelligence and the back-up force is essential in implementing the above plan, it has been proposed that trained and experienced personnel from the National Intelligence Department should be deployed to support Nepal Police. In case Nepal Police needs to counteract against such criminal elements who may use weapons and explosives, a back-up support from the Armed Police Force will be essential. Moreover, to check the vendors from using footpaths for the sale of their goods, local municipality’s support and mobilisation of personnel will be essential. Special security plan’s aim • To arrest of the absconding criminals and suspects • To control illegal gambling, prostitution and bootlegging • To prevent pornography in cyber cafes, obscenity in cabins • To ban use and sale of drugs • To bring down incidents of robbery and anti-social activities • To seize illegal weapons • To regularise policies on the operation of the casinos • To regulate parking system and the sale of goods on the footpaths