Kathmandu, November 18

The Metropolitan Police Office has expressed worries that limited statutory powers have rendered it “toothless.”

The sole metro police in the country was established on November 17, 2006 as a primary law enforcement agency for Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts. The chief of Metropolitan Police Office is a commissioner, who directly reports to the Inspector General of Police.

Despite gradual increase in the numerical strength of the police, no progress has been made towards introducing necessary laws to give it a free hand to combat crimes.

The Metropolitan Police has to wait for orders from the concerned chief district officers of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur before taking action against criminals. Even if an individual feels threatened by a criminal group, he or she is required to first report it to the chief district officer before he is given police protection.

This state of affairs has prevented the law enforcement agency from carrying out its duties swiftly and efficiently. The issue of providing administrative and semi-judicial powers to the police is currently under consideration.

At a special function organised to mark the 10th Metropolitan Police Day in the capital today, IGP Upendra Kant Aryal said, “The changing nature of crimes has necessitated introduction of new laws. The metro police should be made technologically capable of dealing with crimes of such nature.”

Aryal said investment in peace and security should be the first priority of a country. He also stressed on the need to make timely changes in the Police Act.

Police Commissioner and AIGP Bigyan Raj Sharma stated that the metro police was fighting crimes in close partnership with the public. The metro police has a strength of 10,872 cops.

Laxmi Prasad Dhakal, joint secretary and MoHA spokesperson, said the metro police had been playing the role of a protector. “The ministry is ready to extend all necessary support to strengthen its capacity,” he informed.