Nepal
Amid din over the increasing politicisation of the Nepal Police organisation, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane has warned officers to desist from lobbying for promotion or face prosecution.
During an inspection visit to the Nepal Police headquarters on Friday, Lamichhane said postings in the service are based on exigencies and not on lobbying. “Do not lobby,” he said. “Anyone found indulging in such activities will be punished.”
His visit to the police headquarters at Naxal comes less than 24 hours after the Home Ministry issued a notice asking police officials not to meet politicians and members of foreign diplomatic missions without its approval.
Promising a carrot-and-stick approach in the police organisation, the newly appointed home minister assured a fair review of pay scales, allowances and facilities.
The former TV anchor, who shot to fame for grilling bureaucrats and security officials over issues of malpractice and corruption on his popular programme, said he understands the distortions within the police force.
Referring to the recent trend in the police organisation – lobbying politicians for promotions and transfers to plum postings – Lamichhane warned against any conduct unbecoming of the police personnel.
“Let’s forget whatever happened in the past. From now on, I don’t want to see anyone involved in illegal activities,” he said, promising that the Home Ministry and himself would not interfere if the police acted in accordance with the rules and regulations.
“We have a management that assesses people based on these established criteria,” said the president of the Rastriya Swatantra Party. “We don’t want people lobbying here and there. I want the Nepal Police force to observe some of these issues, they are very important.”
