KATHMANDU, Nov 26: As the government recently decided to increase the quota of Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) and an Additional Inspector General (AIG) in the Nepal Police, former senior police officers and security stakeholders have slammed the decision, saying politicians have manipulated the security force to meet their own vested interest.
Former senior police officers said that increasing additional quota without conducting proper O&M Survey and justifying the demand has made the police organization weaker, leaving the entire organization to fall in the quagmire of dirty politics.
According to former DIG Hemanta Malla, the government has increased the quota of DIGs and an AIG though there was no demand from the Nepal Police. “The politicians have lured police personnel -- who are responsible for maintaining peace and security in the society. Such decisions definitely make the organization weaker,” said Malla.
Malla further said that a quota of senior officials should be added only if there is a need and demand from the organization itself. “The government should add a new quota according to the need, but not for the promotion of those nearest and dearest of politicians. The recent decision has also been made just to promote police officers, who are close to top political leaders,” Malla accused the government, adding that police officers – working independently without appeasing political leaders – are demotivated by the government's recent decision.
Recently, the government decided to increase the quota of DIGs to 19, up from the existing 14. The number of AIGs was increased to five including one from the technical quota.
“The number of senior posts have been added or decreased in Nepal Police without proper study. As police officers need support from top political leaders to get promotion, security forces may not work independently to maintain peace and security,” he said, further adding that the Ministry of Home Affairs and the government should be responsible while making such decisions.
The government has time and again decided to increase and decrease the quota of senior posts of Nepal Police. The maximum number of AIGs in the Nepal Police was 17 when Sher Bahadur Deuba was leading the government.
Likewise, former DIG Ramesh Kharel also said that different governments have increased the quota of senior posts solely due to interest of politicians. “Politicians think Nepal Police as their own organization. They think the organization should be run by their interest,” said Kharel, adding that the government has been adding quota of senior posts without demand breaking the chain of command in the organization. He also said that the chief of Nepal Police should speak when the government makes such controversial decisions.
Similarly, former DIG Pitambar Adhikari also accused the government of increasing the quota of senior posts just to promote certain officers. “The decision has been made without proper study,” he said.