Home Ministry Holds Key to Police Transfers as PM Shah Assumes Dual Role

Kathmandu. Since the resignation of then Home Minister Sudhan Gurung on April 21, Prime Minister Balen Shah has been holding the responsibility of the Home Ministry.< /p>

With no Home Minister, a large number of transfers in the Nepal Police have been halted. Transfers of police inspectors to senior superintendents (SSPs) who were transferred last year and have completed their tenure have been stopped.< /p>

According to the Police Regulations 2071, officers are transferred every year. On April 23 last year, the Police Headquarters transferred 311 police inspectors. Of those inspectors who completed their term, 24 were given temporary transfers on March 15. Others have not been transferred.< /p>

Last year on April 23, the Police Headquarters transferred 121 DSPs. Their transfers have not happened even after completing their tenure. Many of the inspectors and DSPs who went last year are working as in-charges in various places.< /p>

Transfers of SPs who are commanding districts and have completed one year have also not been possible. The tenure of SPs working in Baglung, Sudurpaschim Traffic, Sindhuli, Kavre, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Surkhet, Chitwan, West Nawalparasi, Kapilvastu, and Kanchanpur has been completed. Pawan Bhattarai, who was sent to Palpa at that time, was brought to Kathmandu after the Genji movement.< /p>

The Police Headquarters is also preparing to change some SSPs and DIGs of the provinces. Police spokesperson DIG Rabi Narayan Kafle told Ratopati that homework is being done regarding the transfer of officers. He said, 'There are issues that need to be reported sequentially, and the transfer process for officers who have completed their tenure is underway.'< /p>

The Police Headquarters has been following the criteria prepared earlier for transfers. Although it was estimated that the criteria might change with the change in police leadership and home ministry leadership, DIG Kafle said that the criteria will not change now.< /p>

According to police regulations, the IGP decides on transfers up to SP. The Home Minister decides on the transfer of SSPs and DIGs.< /p>

James Karki is working as a private secretary in the Home Ministry. A high-ranking police official said that a list of police officers to be transferred has been sent to Prime Minister's Chief Private Secretary Subash Sharma. According to him, consent regarding transfers has not come from the Prime Minister's secretariat. A high-ranking police official said, 'The transfer will proceed once consent comes from there.'< /p>

Competition to go to Kathmandu< /p>

The Police Headquarters is also looking to change the leadership of the District Police Complex Kathmandu. Currently, SSP Ramesh Thapa is in charge in Kathmandu. Homework has also been started to change the leadership of the Metropolitan Traffic Police Office.< /p>

Competition has started among SSPs to go to Kathmandu. SSPs Dayanidhi Gyawali, Suresh Kafle, Bir Bahadur Buda, Subash Bohora, and Ajay KC have shown interest in taking command of the District Police Complex Kathmandu.< /p>

Gyawali and Bohora are working in the Police Headquarters' Operations Department. Gyawali led the analysis division formed to strategize for the House of Representatives elections held on March 7.< /p>

Bohora and Gyawali played a role in protecting the headquarters during the Genji protests. SSP Kafle, working in the Special Bureau, played a leading role in safely escorting judges when arson began during the Genji movement. At that time, Kafle was working in the security unit at the Supreme Court.< /p>

Bir Bahadur Buda is working at the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, and Ajay KC is working at the Cyber Bureau. Officers say that Pravin Dhital, working at the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, has also shown interest in commanding Kathmandu.< /p>