KATHMANDU: Nepal Police have launched a special clean-up campaign to rein in undisciplined cops in the Kathmandu Valley. The move follows restaurateurs’ and hoteliers’ complaints of extortion against the cops.

DIG Bigyan Raj Sharma, spokesperson, NP, said Hotel and Restaurant Detective Team was mobilised to verify the crooked cops who were accustomed to fleecing the restaurants, bars and hotel owners on the excuse of letting them run their business without any obstruction. “It will not spare anyone found to be indulging in anti-police conduct regardless of their designation in the department, ranging from constable to DIG”.

Last month, the cabinet had suspended DIG Parshuram Khatri on the recommendation of NP Headquarters for engaging in a scuffle at a restaurant in Thamel in a drunken state. Earlier, the executive members of the Nepal Night Business Entrepreneurs’ Association, organising a press meet, had revealed that some police officials had been putting pressure on them to pay them Rs 1,000 a day for smooth running of the night business.

“The police have gone on offensive against dance restaurants and bars by carrying out raids in the recent times,” claimed Subas Limbu, spokesperson for NNBEA. DIG Sharma retorted that the HARD Team would not let the crooked cops slip away if found guilty. “The cops going on the rampage against the police conduct are under round-the-clock surveillance of Complaint Investigation Section under NP Headquarters,” he added. He said the Special police mobilisation was underway to help the police conduct themselves well.

NP has already come up with Tiger Operation to make a sudden attack on unruly and corrupted police personnel amid mounting public pressure on the security body. Twelve police officials have faced the music of NP under the operation.

“We have also forwarded the reward and punishment policy to boost their moral in the fight against crime. NP will reward the officials and personnel if they perform well for the public,” said DIG Sharma.

Meanwhile, NP Headquarters has issued a circular to all its subordinates, instructing them to abide by the order and take action against the defiant officials. The police units elsewhere in Kathmandu Valley have also been directed to become victim-friendly, dispense quick service, strengthen relationship between the public and police and coordinate with patrol teams hired by the community.