KATHMANDU: The draft constitution has proposed a provision of a separate police force in each Pradesh to maintain law and order.

Article 263(2) of the draft constitution states that ‘there shall be separate police organisation in each Pradesh’.

The draft constitution, which envisages eight Pradeshes with names and boundaries to be decided later, has been tabled at the Constituent Assembly for deliberations.

Despite the existence of separate police force in each Pradesh, the Federal Government will have Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and National Intelligence and Investigation Organisation, according to the draft. “Other provisions relating to Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and National Intelligence and Investigation Organisation shall be as per the Federal laws,” Article 263(3) reads.

In regards to the policy to be adopted by the state to maintain national unity and national security, arrangement of peace and security will be made by developing national security system.

‘Policy relating to National Unity and National Security’ referred to in Article 55(a) says, “The state shall adopt National Unity and National Security Policy to retain national unity by protecting the national sovereignty, independence and integrity, to promote national unity by developing mutual cooperative relationship between federal units through the reciprocal harmony, tolerance and cohesion between different castes, ethnicity, religions, cultures and communities, to make arrangement of peace and security by developing national security system, to make Nepali Army, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force, including other security agencies strong, capable, professional, inclusive and responsible to the public, and to make citizens ready and capable to serve the nation as per national need.”

However, there will remain a single organisation of the Nepali Army which is inclusive and committed to democratic principles for the protection of national sovereignty, integrity, independence and unity.

According to Article 262, the Government of Nepal may mobilise the Nepali Army in development activities and disaster management among others as per the existing laws.

“President shall appoint and dismiss chief of army staff under the law. Except as otherwise mobilisation of the Nepali Army in disaster management; if the Government of Nepal decides to mobilise army at the recommendation of National Security Council, the decision thereof shall be required to be submitted to Special Security Committee of the Federal Parliament and endorsed accordingly within one month from the date of such decision,” reads Article 262.

Laying down the law

•    Article 263(2): There shall be separate police organisation in each Pradesh

•    Article 263(3): Other provisions relating to Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and National Intelligence and Investigation Organisation shall be as per the Federal laws