Nepal Police Chief Dan Bahadur Karki Marks 100 Days with Focus on Reform and Election Security

Kathmandu. One hundred days have passed since Dan Bahadur Karki was appointed Inspector General (IGP) of Nepal Police. Karki was appointed IGP on November 13 (Kartik 27).

Since taking office, Karki has attempted to make strides in policy clarity and technology-friendly police administration. Due to Karki's efforts, the Council of Ministers decided to increase the police ration scale, effective from February 13 (Falgun 1). Previously, there had been criticism regarding disparities in rations between other security agencies and police personnel. Three new items have been added to the police ration scale.

IGP Karki has implemented the 'Performance Evaluation Guideline.' Police Spokesperson (DIG) Avinaryan Kafle told Ratopati that the guideline has been put into practice, initiating a system for monthly performance measurement of District Police Offices.

The Police Headquarters has tightened performance standards for District In-charges. For junior-level personnel, the Police Headquarters has launched an online application system for 'Emergency Convenience Loans.' Upon assuming office, IGP Karki had decided to provide these concessionary loans to everyone from office assistants to Police Senior Sub-Inspectors.

The IGP's Secretariat stated that 32 achievements have been made during this period since Karki became IGP. During this tenure, Nepal Police has achieved nearly 100% success in investigating heinous crimes. In the last 100 days, 188 accused were arrested in 123 cases of homicide, and 445 suspects were apprehended in 475 cases of rape.

In terms of enforcing court verdicts, 5,781 absconding defendants have been arrested, resulting in the recovery of over NPR 383.6 million in fines. Furthermore, 2,455 individuals were arrested in connection with drug trafficking, and the police seized large quantities of marijuana, hashish, heroin, and cocaine. Illegal materials and gold/silver worth approximately NPR 600 million were recovered and deposited into the state treasury.

Technology and Modern Investigation

An AI Cell has been established at the Police Headquarters with the objective of making the police force technology-friendly. To facilitate citizen services, arrangements have been made to file complaints regarding lost vehicles and check their status through the traffic police website. The surveillance system has been strengthened by installing 456 state-of-the-art CCTV cameras across the country.

Under the 'Community-Police Partnership' initiative, over 12 lakh citizens have been made aware through more than 27,000 programs. In the last 100 days, the police have located and returned over 4,000 missing persons to their families.

IGP Karki has established an endowment fund of NPR 500,000 at Devi Sthan Secondary School in Gulmi in memory of his late father, Krishnabahadur Karki.

Election Security Challenges

Provincial-level security seminars were held in all seven provinces focusing on security for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 4 (Falgun 21).

A special security plan has been formulated under Karki's leadership to ensure the election is peaceful and impartial. According to the integrated security plan, the Police Headquarters has formed a Central Election Cell led by AIG Uma Chaturvedi.

An Analysis Division has been formed to strategize regarding the House of Representatives election. SSP Dayanidhi Gyawali is leading this division. The Police Headquarters stated that this division will devise strategies to monitor groups attempting to disrupt the election and neutralize their activities.

Police analysis suggests that six groups, including Durga Prasai, coordinator of the Campaign to Save Nation, Nationality, Religion, Culture, and Citizens, are currently active in disrupting the election.

The police leadership consulted and coordinated with former police officials to determine election security and strategy. Although Karki has made a good start in his first 100 days leading the police, election security will be challenging for him. Conducting the election will be challenging due to Holi (Phagu Purnima) celebrations in the Terai region on Tuesday and the cold weather in the Himalayas.

Experts suggest that successfully conducting a peaceful election while managing obstructions from six groups, including Durga Prasai, CPN (Bahumat), and Mongol National Organisation, will be a challenge for Karki.