Far-West Nepal Police Claim Criminal Gangs Inactive Amidst Public Fear

Dhangadhi. The Sudurpaschim Province Police have claimed that criminal groups are not active in the province as in the past. The general public, however, says there is fear of underground gangs here. The police administration, on the other hand, has claimed that no organized criminals are active in the province.

However, criminals are not inactive in Sudurpaschim as the police claim. According to sources, there are gangs of even teenagers in villages. In the two districts of the province, Kailali and Kanchanpur, criminals rule even from inside the jail.

In Kailali, mainly four criminal groups are discussed: Nandu Sarkar, Jayendra group, Cobra Sarkar, and Eagle Gang. These groups used to rule even from inside the jail. Currently, strict measures, including jail transfers, are being taken in Kailali prison to prevent contact between such criminal organizations. Previously, the southeastern region of Kailali was like a hub for criminals. In recent times, horrific incidents of murder and violence have not decreased there. Police say they are adopting special strategies to prevent criminal groups from becoming active.

In the hilly districts of the province, small gangs are active due to political patronage and village rivalries. Sources claim that in some cases, people are being threatened and extorted in the name of cadres of Biplav-led CPN (Maoist) and the Scientific Socialist Party.

Despite the public's fear, Sudurpaschim Province Police Office's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Padam Bahadur Bist claims that criminals will not be allowed to raise their heads.

“Nobody is actively operating like that now. We have not let them be active and will not let them be,” he said.

According to SSP Bist, it is much easier for the police to work now compared to the past.

“Now, during the tenure of the new government, the police are not under any political pressure. No leader calls to release criminals. We have been told to 'work freely'. The police are many times more powerful than criminals, so no one will be spared,” he said.

Although the police describe the current situation as peaceful, the public remains skeptical due to the network of criminals at the grassroots level and the orders issued from within the jail. As claimed, the police plan to completely eradicate these organized criminals through new practices and independent working styles.