Police Chief States 263 Police Posts Are Dilapidated

Kathmandu. Inspector General (IGP) Dan Bahadur Karki has stated that 263 permanent police posts across the country are in a dilapidated condition. He provided this information while speaking at a meeting of the Committee for Strengthening Federalism and National Concerns under the National Assembly. He clarified that there is no budget available for the reconstruction of these dilapidated police posts.

IGP Karki mentioned that some police posts in border and sensitive areas are on the verge of collapse, forcing police personnel to work in risky structures. He expressed concern that an accident might occur at any time due to the collapse of a post. He also informed that they do not have an exact count of how dilapidated the temporary police posts are. He stated that if the dilapidated posts could be reconstructed with the coordination of the Federal Affairs and local levels, police personnel would have access to minimum human facilities after working all day.

Speaking at the committee meeting, IGP Karki said, 'Currently, posts in border areas and sensitive places are also in a dilapidated condition, on the verge of collapse. There is a concern that something might happen due to the collapse of a post. We have identified 263 dilapidated permanent posts; the count of temporary ones is not even available. If the dilapidated posts can be built through local levels under Federal Affairs, our people will have the expectation of being able to live like ordinary citizens in a natural human way for a while in the evening after working all day.'

He added, 'We have been placing temporary police posts in very sensitive and necessary locations upon request. The presence of police signifies the presence of the state, but there is also the issue of geography. Currently, there is a temporary police presence in sensitive areas. However, since temporary arrangements do not create a permanent situation, temporary posts need to be somewhat organized. For that, budget is required, and the budget manages everything from building structures to logistics.'

IGP Karki revealed that the Nepal Police Headquarters has not given any approval for the construction of police posts in the disputed border areas of Bajura and Humla districts. He stated that the police organization has not received any formal proposal or correspondence regarding the construction of a police post at the center of the dispute. He mentioned that the provincial government allocated budget and started constructing the post, and a dispute arose after the construction began in that area, leading to clashes. According to the preliminary investigation by the police, although the issue is presented as a border dispute in that area, the main problem appears to be the center of the herb trade. He also stated that issues related to the trade and transportation of herbs in the border areas and trade access to China are also involved.

He further added, 'It was said that a post would be constructed, for which the province also allocated money, but we have not received any written communication about the construction of that post. There is no demand for the construction of the post either. The post is not permanent, it is temporary. The manpower sent to temporary police posts are those who are spared from permanent duties and sent. The provincial government has allocated budget for it. The provincial government has allocated the budget, but the police office is unaware. We have not received any written information here.'

He added, 'Rather than saying it's for the exit of the post, it doesn't appear in any of our records. I don't recall anyone discussing it with us. However, the province allocated budget and the post was under construction on the land of Local Bema Gurung. While it was under construction, the party that opposed the construction scattered the construction materials like stones, gravel, and sand, causing damage. Everything that was being built has been demolished. If it had been built after a systematic review of the need and justification, it would have proceeded systematically.'

He informed that clashes between two parties over grazing issues had occurred in November as well. At that time, a case of attempted murder was registered following a physical altercation over goats from Bajura entering another area, and the accused were released on bail. Karki stated that in the recent incident as well, cases have been registered against the individuals involved in the clash, arrest warrants have been issued, and some accused are absconding. Currently, security has been strengthened in the disputed area with the joint presence of the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force. Inspector General Karki suggested that establishing a police post there would help in permanently resolving the dispute.