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VOL. 27, NO. 44, July18 , 2008 (Shrawan 03 2065 B.S.)
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Seizures In Security
Less than a month after the government fumbled in dealing with a revolt, another group of junior cops follow their path
By SANJAYA DHAKAL
Although it ended with relative ease, the second revolt in police within a month has thrown open a barrage of questions regarding the need to overhaul the security system.
Experts have been unanimous in flaying the government for its handling of the revolt in Shamshergunj battalion of Armed Police Force (APF) nearly a month ago. Senior officials of Home Ministry had held 'talks' with rebels and 'admired' their 'courage for speaking out' against discrimination.
Such an ending to the grave crime of revolt with rebels ending up as heroes was certain to stir a hornet's nest.
So when the junior cops at Riot Police battalion in Nepalgunj seized the barrack and held seven of their senior officers hostage demanding end of discrimination, they were only taking a cue from the month-old incident.
However, this time, the government took a firm stand and forced the rebels to surrender – sending out a message that it will not tolerate such revolts in future.
"The government did this time what it should have done earlier. But now the larger question of addressing inherent problems in security organs remain," said a security expert.
Surrender
Around 19 rebel policemen have been suspended from the police service and an investigation into the incident has been launched. Those facing suspension include Sub-Inspector Dhan Bahadur B.K, who led the 'rebellion', Sub-Inspector Sailendra Basnet and head constables Birendra Karki and Khusiram Choudhary. The four policemen have been taken into custody for further investigation.
Around 150 other policemen are also under investigation for their role in the hostage drama.
The police administration presented the four policemen before media persons in Nepalgunj on Monday (July 14) where they accepted their guilt and requested for pardon.
The 'rebellious' policemen at Riot Police Battalion in Nepalgunj had surrendered at around midnight on Sunday ending the two-day-long hostage drama. After the government refused to hold talks or entertain their '20-point' demands and asked them to surrender or face consequences, they chose to surrender when policemen from the Armed Police Force stormed the compound. All seven senior police officers including SSP Parasuram Khatri held hostage were released.
"We told them we cannot hold talks and they must surrender," said Narendra Raj Sharma, Chief District Officer of Banke district. "They will face action as per the Police Act," he said.
The government adopted tough stance after the emergency meeting of the cabinet on Sunday authorized Home Ministry to take all necessary measures to end indiscipline and anarchy. "The Ministry has been asked to prepare its own modality to bring the situation under control. It has also been asked to take necessary steps to prevent such incidents from happening in future," said Minister for Water Resources Gyanendra Bahadur Karki.
Since Sunday, the battalion had been ringed by policemen from APF. The Nepali Army (NA) also ran aerial survey of the battalion and a team of Ranger Force were also deployed on Sunday evening building up the pressure on 'rebel policemen.' The District Administration of Banke has declared the surrounding areas around the battalion as riot-torn area and has restricted normal movement of people there.
