Frustration runs high among those police personnel who don't have the connections or money to influence their promotions and transfers
The suggestion by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to the Ministry of Home Affairs to end political interference in the security agencies does not raise many eyebrows. It is something that has been going on for decades, especially after the ushering in of multi-party democracy in 1990, with the whims of the home minister or the prime minister largely dictating not only the appointment of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) but also the transfers, promotions and recruitment of police personnel. Such naked intervention has affected the morale and integrity of the police force, as political and social connections and money have come to largely decide future career opportunities for police officers. Thus, it would be wise for the ministry to heed the anti-graft body's suggestion to amend the existing laws for the development of necessary standards to end political interference in the security agencies. The implementation of such a standard should help the security bodies under the Home Ministry to "pursue policy and procedural reforms to boost professionalism, investigative efficiency and morale of police personnel".
Today, there is no sector that politics has not interfered with, be it health, education, security, infrastructure development or even the appointment of envoys. The Nepal Army remains the only bastion where the parties have failed to interfere, although there have been attempts to do so over the decades.
The parties' penchant for placing close confidants in the key posts in the police force is well known.
But no political party seems to be bothered about how this destroys the morale and integrity of the police force, so necessary for maintaining security in the country.
The rot in the police force started in 1996 when the appointment of two IGPs, following the change of governments at quick intervals. Thereafter, political interference also saw the auctioning of different posts.
Frustration runs high in the police force, especially among those who don't have the political connections or the financial means that could influence their promotions and transfers. The mass resignations in the thousands by police personnel seen in recent years does not augur well for strengthening the police force. Although most of those resignations came from constables, it is unfortunate that they have also included high-ranking officers, including deputy inspector generals, superintendents and deputy superintendents of police, who have decades of experience in maintaining law and order in the country. While it is a fact that police personnel do not draw handsome salaries, most of the senior officers quit over promotions that were denied them in favour of junior colleagues, allegedly influenced by money, power and nepotism. The Home Ministry should be working on policy reforms to bring about efficiency in the force and make them more competent to take up the challenges of the 21st century. This can happen only when the security bodies are free from undue political interference and there is an enabling environment for them to enjoy career development opportunities in a free and fair manner.
Coping with the cold
The winter months in the Tarai region may be pleasant weather for the affluent who can afford warm clothes, shoes and cozy rooms. But it is a nightmare for those families who live in thatched huts and lack enough clothes and duvets to protect themselves from the bone chilling cold, especially when the cold wave starts, usually from the second week of January and lasts at least for two weeks, in the Tarai region. Many children and elderly people of humble economic condition die of pneumonia, seasonal flu and other diseases related to the cold during winter.
A report from Saptari states that Dom families, a Dalit community, are facing a tough time coping with the cold. Even though the year's cold wave is yet to set in the plain region, the community is already facing a hard time surviving the chilly winter. Whatever assistance the local levels provide them is barely enough to stay safe from the cold weather. Members of the Dom community say no organisation has extended them a helping hand to protect them from the winter season. The local levels, local administration and charity organisations must, therefore, come forward to assist them so that they can stay safe during the winter months.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 3, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.