There are numerous cases of minor offences in the capital regarding theft and robbery which go most often unreported. On the other hand, the security inside the Kathmandu Valley has also been threatened due to establishment of organized crime groups.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Keshav Adhikary, spokesperson of Nepal Police, talked to The Week’s Asmita Manandhar about the security situation in the capital amidst the growing criminal activities.[break]
Excerpts:
What’s the main security threat in the Kathmandu Valley?
Organized crime is the main security threat in the Valley. But since last year, the police force has been very successful in thwarting any illegal attempts by such criminal groups. Earlier, these criminal groups were interfering in various small and large businesses by threatening business owners against fair tender application for any project, illegal sand mining from the rivers. The cases of kidnapping, extortion and threats imposed by such organized criminal groups are also falling drastically.
However, there are many such loopholes which need to be addressed regarding organized crime in the Valley. Nepal Police is regularly checking against these criminal groups, their leaders and these activities.
Also, since the last two months, cases of violence against women have also increased throughout the country.
Photo:Bijay Gajmer
What kinds of cases regarding violence against women are on the rise?
There are many cases that are filed under violence against women from rape, murder to cases of domestic violence. Recently, some cases of rape, murder and honor killing were filed which were of very gruesome nature and these cases have also caught the media’s attention.
According to past police record, it’s seen that there are certain causes behind violence against women, such as alcohol consumption, suspicion between partners, sexual desires, mental instability, social reputation and religious superstitions, among others. The cases of Shiva Hashmi and Bindu Thakur signify the cases of security threats imposed by family members in the name of honor killing, which is rather very dangerous. Then, the case of Sita Rai is also a serious one, with government employees and security personnel involved in such heinous crimes of cheating a woman and then raping her.
How is the police tackling such crimes against women?
There were a total of 51 reported crimes under the category of violence against women throughout the country in the month of Kartik, of which 48 assailants have been arrested. Similarly, 30 assaulters are arrested with regard to 39 complaints lodged against similar crimes in the month of Poush. We’re planning to reduce sex crimes to the minimum, our target being to completely eliminate such crimes.
Regarding the matter of violence against women, DIG Bimala Thapa from Women and Children Service Directorate Nepal Police has been traveling throughout the country to identify with and monitor violent cases against women. We’re opting for zero tolerance against such crimes.
What kinds of steps has the police department taken to mitigate the security threats in the Valley?
There are altogether 22 checkpoints in the Kathmandu valley. Different police circles inside the Valley have formed five teams each and are stationed at different checkpoints. These police teams are different from the traffic checkpoints.
Different police teams also perform long route patrols in the suburban areas of the Valley. These usually take place during the night. The police are also foot-patrolling in many residential areas in civil uniforms during night hours.
Apart from these, there are also ‘cordon and search’ operations carried out in different parts of the capital. These kinds of operations are carried out on ‘need to know’ basis, in which police officers in civil clothes seal a certain area and search people or places that seem suspicious.
What are the provisions when someone reports from a crime scene?
Since the initiation of the Police Control Room seven years back, Control Room Vehicles (CRV) act according to the orders given by the control room for any crime reported. There are 41 CRVs in the capital, stationed at different places with six armed police personnel in each vehicle. These vehicles are active around the clock.
There is also a Quick Response Team (QRT) which consists of two armed police personnel on a motorbike. These QRTs are active in the main busy city areas where maximum trading takes place. QRT is also effective as it can access the small alleys in the capital.
If a person witnesses any crime or senses danger, he can easily dial 100 and these teams will reach there as soon as possible.
But there are many cases where police personnel themselves harass the public. These cases are mostly reported to have taken place at police checkpoints. How is the police department going to address such irregularities?
I agree that there have been such cases and these kinds of incidents weaken the image of the police. There are also complaints regarding misbehavior by the police during night hours. To address this problem, we’ve started “Conduct and Behavior Monitoring Team” which trains the personnel to behave appropriately with the public. The traffic police have also started “Service with a Smile” program that briefs police personnel in similar matters.
Nevertheless, if such incidents occur, anyone can call 100 for the Police Control Room or 103 for the Traffic Police Control Room and file complaints against such misbehavior. We’ve been monitoring such incidents, and the newly appointed chief of Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, DIG Upendra Kant Aryal, is also looking forward to reform such actions of the traffic police.
What are the upcoming plans to tighten the security of the Valley?
We’re planning to train our personnel to understand public stances in crime situations. There have been many complaints regarding police response to the crime. So we’ll be reforming the institution as a whole and make it more service-centric. We’re also going to monitor if such directions are followed or not by the police units.
Related story
TikTok unveils changes to meet tough new EU rules
