Kathmandu, March 2:

Nepal Police today administered a “democratic” oath of office to the first batch of police inspectors, who passed the 15-month Post-Graduate Diploma in Police Science (PGDPS), at a convocation held by the Nepal Police Academy. The 15-month programme is being run by the academy and is recognised by the Tribhuvan University.

Stating that sovereignty and state power rest on the people, the police inspectors, unlike in the past, vowed to perform their duty by respecting the spirit of the Jana Andolan.

In the past, the oath of office used to urge the graduates to be loyal to the Country, Crown and Countrymen.

This is the first batch of the PGDPS course, which is now taken as the basic training for police inspectors. Among a total of 47 cadets, Kabit Katuwal topped in all faculties. Rabindra Poudel, Rugam B Kunwar, Nabin Karki, Prem Sagar KC and Pradeep Kumar Singh topped in Study, Parade Performance, Strategy, Physical Ability Promotion and shooting faculties respectively.

Awarding certificates to the new batch, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said the prime challenge of the Nepal Police was to maintain law and order and create a conducive environment for holding elections to a constituent assembly.

Om Bikram Rana, the Inspector General of Police, said success of police depends upon their ability to garner support from general public.

Senior Superintendent of Police Narayan Bastakoti presented the annual report of the academy.