Asks for semi-judicial authority to metropolitan police force

Kathmandu, January 27:

Inspector General of Nepal Police Hem Bahadur Gurung today requested the lawmakers to equip the police with stronger law to enhance its efficiency.

Addressing a meeting of Constituent Assembly’s Committee on Protection of National Interests, Gurung also sought semi-judicial authority to the metropolitan police force to control crime in the capital.

“Security challenges and pressure to the government from the streets are increasing. So the lawmakers and the political parties should seriously think about it and cooperate with the police force in controlling unlawful activities,” he said. He admitted that the security threats including extortion, intimidation and organised crimes were on the rise.

He said, “For instance, small weapons including pistols are found frequently in security checks. It shows that the use of illegal weapons has also been increasing.”

IG Gurung demanded that there should be separate service commission for the police force. He informed that a draft law regarding the same had been forwarded to the ministry concerned.

He criticised the government’s arbitrariness while taking decisions on whether to extend

the tenure of senior police officials.

“The government can extend the tenure of any official by two years as per its interest and this has created confusion among the police officers,” he said.

Basudev Oli, IG of the Armed Police Force (APF), asked the government to increase APF’s strength. He informed that 11,240 AFP personnel had deserted during the decade-long conflict. “Though they are now demanding their reinstatement, but we cannot accept them back in the service,” Oli said.

Dhana Singh Karki, chief of the National Investigation Department, called for reform in the security bodies. “The security forces should not be made protector of those in power but they should protect national interests,” he said.

Dr Govinda Prasad Kusum, home secretary, said groundwork was undergoing to prepare a special national security policy within two months.

The Constituent Assembly committee had called the security chiefs to inform the committee about the state of security bodies.