Proposal to Extend Tenure of Two Additional Inspector Generals of Armed Police Force Under Discussion

Kathmandu. A proposal to extend the tenure of two Additional Inspector Generals (DIGs) of the Armed Police Force (APF) is currently under discussion at the Ministry of Home Affairs. The APF Headquarters has sent a proposal to the Home Ministry recommending the extension of the tenure for DIGs Laxman Bahadur Singh and Pradip Pal, both from the general group.

High-ranking officials at the Home Ministry are discussing whether to present this proposal to the Council of Ministers. One high-ranking official from the ministry stated, "Discussions are underway to present this proposal in the upcoming cabinet meeting."

Both individuals initially joined the Nepal Police on Chaitra 18, 2054 BS, as Sub-Inspectors (SIs) in technical roles (computer operators) before later joining the Armed Police Force. They were promoted to the rank of DIG.

Officials are reportedly dissatisfied, arguing that extending the tenure of those who entered through the technical stream and underwent only one month of training will affect the organization's career planning, as they did not complete the rigorous basic training required for those entering the general group.

Laxman Bahadur Singh, currently serving at the Secretariat of the National Security Council, is an officer who was found guilty by the National Human Rights Commission. On Falgun 24, 2073 BS, the commission recommended departmental action against him for his shortcomings in the Tikapur incident. The commission concluded that the incident, which resulted in the death of security personnel in Tikapur, occurred due to carelessness, lack of cooperation and coordination among security organizations, a weak security plan, and negligence. Regarding Singh, who was the SP of Ugratara Battalion at the time, the commission's decision stated, "Departmental action to be taken against SP of Ugratara Battalion Laxman Bahadur Singh and DIG Khadananda Chaudhary."

According to Article 56 (Ga) of the Armed Police Force Regulations, the tenure of a DIG is four years. According to this provision, DIGs Singh and Pal are due to retire on Chaitra 5, 2082 BS.

It is alleged that a vested interest group is lobbying to get the tenure of the two DIGs, who are due to retire in 10 days, extended even before a new government is formed. The process for forming a new government is set to begin following the completion of the House of Representatives elections. One high-ranking APF official stated, "There is maneuvering to get decisions with long-term effects on the organization made by the caretaker government."

• Past Precedent of Non-Extension

There is a past precedent in the Armed Police Force where a DIG's tenure was not extended. The APF Headquarters had proposed an extension for the then DIG Pravin Shrestha. Since the proposal did not move forward from the Home Ministry, a decision regarding Shrestha's tenure extension was not made. Subsequently, he approached the Supreme Court. On Mangsir 22, 2078 BS, the writ filed by Pravin Shrestha was dismissed by a bench comprising Supreme Court Justices Til Prasad Shrestha and Nityananda Pandey.