Kathmandu, February 26

The Ministry of Home Affairs has recalled as many as 275 security personnel being used as orderlies by some incumbent or former high-level officials of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force.

Earlier, the line ministry had issued a circular to the security agencies under its purview, directing them not to engage any cop for purposes other than security. According to the MoHA, 275 cops were relieved of their ‘duty’ as domestic help of their incumbent and former bosses. Upon their recall, the cops were deputed to their place of duty to carry out responsibilities in accordance with the prevailing law.

The move comes in the wake of a number of complaints over misuse of cops as orderlies, house helps and personal security officers even by some ‘incumbent or former high-level officials’, who do not have security threats from any group.

Dozens of police personnel, mainly constables and head constables, are said to be working as domestic helps of serving and ex-police officials ranging from senior superintendents of police to inspectors general.

Engaging any cop in non-policing jobs by seniors is an infraction of the code of conduct and law, the MoHA warned. Though former high-level officials request for police personnel under the pretext of security threat, most of them are used as cooks, drivers and attendants. If any former official faces a security threat, he/she may be entitled to cops as security guards through the concerned district administration office.

No law has authorised the use of cops for non-policing purposes. The 82-point action plan made public by Minister of Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa states that no one will be allowed to use police for non-policing jobs.