Submitted by: Dr. Chuda Bahadur Shrestha
Saugat Legal Research Centre
Gairidhara, Kathmandu
Nepal

December 19, 2008

Abbreviation:
DSP- Deputy Superintendent of Police
SP- Superintendent of Police
SSP- Senior Superintendent of Police
DIGP- Deputy Inspector General of Police
AIGP- Additional Inspector General of Police
IGP- Inspector General of Police

Nepal Ex. Police Organization (NEPO) and Saugat Legal Research Centre (SLRC) had organized one day seminar on National Security, Security Sector/System Reform and Civil Security Relations in Nepal on November 16, 2008 (Mansir 1, 2065) with the support of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Nepal in Kathmandu. Honorable Deputy Prime Minister com Home Minister, Bam Dev Gautam was the Chief Guest of the seminar. Similarly, representatives of all political parties, members of civil societies and security agencies (serving and former) attended the seminar. Papers were presented by Prof. Dev Raj Dahal, Head of FES-Nepal, Bharat Rayamajhi Brig. General (Retd.), Dr. Govind Prasad Thapa, AIGP (Retd.), Dr. Chuda Bahadur Shrestha, SSP (Retd.). The seminar was considered to be successful in the contemporary situation of Nepal. Feedback from the participants revealed that such interaction should not be limited only in Kathmandu but also should organize in regional basis.

After the seminar, NEPO and SLRC members consulted Honorable Deputy Prime Minister com Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam and Inspector General of Nepal Police (IGP), Hem Bahadur Gurung for further such interaction programme to be organized in all regions of Nepal. Viewing the importance of the subject Nepal Police Headquarters supported the interaction programmes with facilitating and directing regional level police organizations. FES Nepal supported with logistic and published materials.

With the help of Nepal Police and FES-Nepal, Mr. D.B. Lama, IGP (Retd.) and Chairperson of NEPO, Ganja Singh Gurung, General Secretary of the NEPO and Dr. Chuda Bahadur Shrestha, SSP (Retd.) organized the interaction programme on the said subjects in the following places:

• National Police Academy, Maharajganj Kathmandu
• Central Development Region of Nepal-Hetauda
  
• Mid Western Region of Nepal- Nepalganj
  
• Far Western Region of Nepal- Dhangadi
  
• Western Region of Nepal- Pokhara also in Kapilbastu, Bhairahawa, Palpa, Syangja, Damauli districts.
  
• Eastern Region of Nepal- Dharan

National Police Academy, Maharajganj, Kathmandu

Monday, Nov 24, 2008 (Mansir 9, 2065), Monday

A day workshop was organized in National Police Academy on "National Security, Security Sector/System Reform and Civil Security Relations in Nepal," for the serving and former security personnel. Mr. Hem Bahadur Gurung, IGP was the Chief Guest of the programme. Altogether 275 including single women of police family were presented in the interaction programme.

Mr. Ramesh Kumar Shrestha, Police Commissioner (AIGP) Metropolitan Police Kathmandu, welcomed the participants. Mr. Ganja Singh Gurung shade light on the objectives of the programme. Prof. Dev Raj Dahal (FES-Nepal) highlighted on the national security and civil security relations in the prospect of contemporary situation of the country. Similarly Dr. Chuda Bahadur Shrestha presented a paper on Security Sector/System Reform including Nepal Police. Mr. Prasanna Yonzan, Chairperson of Wild Life Conservation Nepal (WCN), presented a paper on the protection of biodiversity and endangered listed wildlife of Nepal. He further appealed cooperation from the law enforcement agencies for conservation. Mr. Hem Bahadur Gurung, IGP, remarked on the importance of such interaction throughout the country tuning with democratization process of Nepal. Presentation was followed by the floor discussion and interaction. Vote of thanks was extended by Mr. Krishna Prasad Shrestha, AIGP, Criminal Investigation Department of Police. The programme was concluded by the Chairperson Mr. DB Lama, (IGP Retd.) with his remarks. At the end of the workshop, FES and WCN publications were distributed to the participants.

Central Development Region of Nepal-Hetauda

Dec 8, 2008 (Mansir 23, 2065), Monday

The team consisting of Mr. DB Lama, IGP (Retd), Ganja Singh Gurung and Dr. Chuda Bahadur Shrestha left Kathmandu on Sunday, Dec 7, 2008 for Hetauda to organize central regional interaction programme on the subject mentioned above. In the morning of Dec. 8, 2008, the team interacted with Mr. Ananda Pokharel, Regional Administrator, and Government of Nepal at his office on the said workshop and handed him with the resource materials. Mr. Pokharel expressed his satisfaction of such programme.

The interaction programme was conducted at the conference hall of Federation of Transportation, Hetauda on the same day. Mr. Suresh K.C., SP of Central Regional Police Office welcomed the participants. Mr. Ganja Singh Gurung, General Secretary, NEPO highlighted the objectives of the programme. Mr. Buddhi Ratna Dangol, WCN, presented paper on wildlife conservation and role of security agencies on preventive measures. Dr. Chuda Bahadur Shrestha presented paper on National Security, Security Sector/System Reform and Civil Military Relations. Participants from various districts participated actively in the floor discussion. Dr. Shrestha and Mr. Tapendra Hamal, SSP Narayani Zonal Office responded the queries raised by the participants. Mr. Arun Kumar Gurung, DIGP (Retd.) extended the vote of thanks to the organizers, resource persons and the participants. With the remarks, Chairperson DB Lama, (IGP, Retd) concluded the interaction programme. Altogether there were 248 participants. FES and WCN published materials were provided to the concerned authorities and the participants.

After the workshop, the team headed for Nepalganj and halt-age in Butwal. Early morning of Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008 (Mansir 24, 2065), they left for Nepalganj.

Mid Western Region of Nepal- Nepalganj

Dec. 9, 2008 (Mansir 24, 2065), Tuesday

In the afternoon of Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, the team participated in the interaction programme set by the initiation of Mr. Madan Bahadur Khadka, DIGP, Mid- Western Regional Police Office and other officials including Nepal Ex. Police Organization in Nepalganj. Interaction programme was held in Nepal Police Sports Hall. The programme was chaired by Mr. Ganga Bahadur Adhikari, Inspector, (Retd). Chief and Special Guests were Mr. DB. Lama, IGP, Retd. and Mr. Khadka, DIGP respectively.
Welcome speech was given by Mr. Shyam Kumar Tamang, SP, Retd. Senior Vice President of Nepal Ex. Police Organization. Similarly, Ganja Singh Gurung, highlighted the objectives of the programme. Dr. Chuda Bahadur Shrestha, SSP, Retd. presented paper on National Security issues. Nepal Ex. Police, Victims of Conflict (single women) and disabled persons participated in the floor discussion. There were 277 participants in the seminar representing from Nepal Police, Ex. Police and Army, Victims of Conflict both single women and disabled. Finally, FES published materials were distributed to the participants including academic institutions.

Far Western Region of Nepal- Dhangadi

Dec. 11, 2008 (Mansir 26, 2008), Thursday

On Dec. 10, 2008, morning the team left for Dhangadi, Far Western Region from Nepalganj. The programme was conducted on Dec. 11, 2008 on the parade ground of Zonal Police Office, Dhangadi. The programme was chaired by Mr. Nanda Lal Bohara, Vice President, Nepal Ex. Police Organization, District, Dhangadi. Mr. Dhak Bahadur Karki, SSP, Seti Zonal Police Office, welcomed the participants and highlighted the contemporary security situation of Nepal. Mr. Ganja Singh Gurung shade light on the objectives of the programme. Dr. Chuda Bahadur Shrestha, SSP, Retd. presented paper on National Security, Security Sector/System Reform and Civil Military Relations. Similarly, Special Guest, Mr. Prakash Kuwar, DIGP, Far Western Regional Police highlighted on the importance of serving and ex. security members relations for the maintenance of peace and security. Several security retired members, single women and disable person participated in the floor discussion. Chief Guest, Mr. DB Lama, IGP. Retd, highlighted how to utilize retired security personnel in prevention of crime and maintenance of national security by the security organization and state. Vote of thanks was extended by Mr. Uttam Bahadur Singh, SP, District Police, Kailali, Dhangadi. The session was concluded by Mr. Nanda Lal Bohara. There were 93 participants including media persons. FES published Resource materials were distributed to the participants as well as academic institutions. After the programme, the team left for Nepalganj from Dhangadi.

Western Region of Nepal-

Dec. 12, 2008 (Mansir 27, 2008), Friday

Kapilbastu, Taulihawa:
The team members had also requested to conduct a short interaction programme between serving and ex. members of police in Kapilbastu District, District Police Office, Taulihawa. Mr. Bikram Singh Thapa, SP of Kapilbastu District welcomed the team and participants. Mr. DB Lama, IGP, Retd. and Dr. Chuda Bahadur Shrestha, SSP, Retd. highlighted the purpose and the importance of interaction. There were 16 participants in the programme. Mr. Thapa, SP, assured to conduct periodic interaction with ex. police persons for security matters. A set of resource materials published by FES were provided to the participants as well as to the district police office.

Bhairahawa:
In the same day, Dec. 12, 2008, the team conducted a similar interaction programme in Rupandehi District Police Office, Bhairahawa. The pragramme was conducted in short notice. Here too, both serving and retired police security personnel were briefed about the general situation and the role of ex. police personnel in security management. There were 30 participants in the programme. Resource materials published by FES were provided to the participants and the community centres.

Dec. 13, 2008 (Mansir 28, 2008), Saturday
Palpa:
On the way to Pokhara, the team organized to conduct similar interaction programme in the morning at District Police Office Palpa. Mr. Pawan Giri, DSP, District Police Office, Palpa and other serving and retired police members were presented in the interaction. Mr. DB Lama, IGP, Retd. and Dr. Chuda Bahadur Shrestha, SSP, Retd. highlighted the purpose of the interaction programme. Here too, resource materials published by FES were provided to the participants as well as to the district police office. There were 15 participants.

Syangja:
On the same day, the team planned to conduct interaction programme in Syangja District, Police Office, too. Mr. Gopal Rayamajhi, DSP, of the Syangja Police Office welcomed the team and the participants. Short interaction was held between the ex. and serving police members. The team briefed about the national security situation as well as traffic management. There were 17 participants in the interaction programme. Resource materials published by FES were provided.

Western Region of Nepal-

Dec. 14, 2008 (Mansir 29, 2008), Sunday
Pokhara:

The team could not organize interaction on Dec. 14, 2008 in Pokhara due to the Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal's visit to Lamjung District.

Dec. 15, 2008 (Mansir 30, 2008), Monday
The regional interaction programme on "National Security, Security Sector/System Reform and Civil Security Relations in Nepal" was held in Armed Police Office in Pokhara. Unexpectedly, on that day, Pokhara valley was closed due to vandalization of academic institution by the group of students union. Many interested people were unable to participant the programme due to transportation problem. At the same time most of the police were deployed on the streets to manage the irresponsive activities. But even then, many representatives of ex. police members were presented in the programme. Similarly, Mr. Navaraj Dhakal, regional DIGP, Mr. Bhaktinath Majhi, Zonal SSP, Gandaki, Mr. Sudeep Acharya, SP Armed Police, Mr. Subash Chaudhari, SP District Police including others participated in the programme.

Mr. Majhi, SSP, Zonal Police, welcomed the participants. Mr. Ganja Singh Gurung highlighted the objectives. Dr. Chuda Bahadur Shrestha presented a paper on "National Security, Security Sector/System Reform and Civil Security Relations in Nepal." All ranks and file of ex. police including single women (widow), victims of conflict participated in the floor discussion. The special guest Mr. Navaraj Dhakal, DIGP, responded most of the queries raised by the participants in relation to police behaviours. DB Lama, IGP (Retd.), Chief Guest of the programme, remarked on police response towards ex. police. Mr. Acharya, SP extended vote of thanks and Chairperson of the programme Mr. Nar Bahadur Sherchan, Chairperson Nepal Ex. Police Organization, Kaski District, concluded the session. There were 93 participants in the programme. Resource materials published by FES were provided.

The team members left for Damauli.

Damauli, Tanahu:
Dec. 16, 2008 ((Poush 1, 2008), Tuesday
In the morning, the team conducted a short interaction programme in Damauli. Mr. Rajendra Bista, DSP and other members of the District Police Office welcomed the team. Interaction progamme was held in the meeting hall of District Police Office. It was interesting to know that more than 400 Nepal ex. police members are actively working in various fields including security of the financial enterprises. At the same time, the team came know that there is harmonious relationship among the members of the Nepal Ex. Police for they are asked to maintain peace and security in various occasions by District Administration, Police and local agencies. The team acknowledged the activities as well as briefed the objectives of the interaction programme. Finally the team left Tanahu for Kathmandu with distributing the FES published materials. There were more than 50 participants.

Eastern Region

Dec. 22. 2008 (Poush 7, 2065), Monday
Dharan:

The team headed by Mr. D.B. Lama, IGP (Retd.) along with the team members Dr. Chuda Bahadur Shrestha and Mr. Ganja Singh Gurung left for Biratnagar on Dec. 22, 2008. The interaction programme on National Security, Civil Security Relations and Security Sector Reform was organized by Eastern Regional Police Office at the conference hall of the Nepal Police School, Dharan.

Programme started at 12:30 pm with welcoming by Mr. Parsuram Khatri, SSP, Koshi Zonal Office. The objectives of the programme were highlighted by Mr. Gurung, General Secretary of Nepal Ex. Police Organization, Central Committee. Mr. Buddhi Ratna Dangol, briefed on wildlife conservation and the role of serving and retired police in the prevention and detection of such crimes. He also distributed wildlife crime book. Dr. Shrestha, presented paper on National Security, Civil Security Relations and Security Sector Reform and distributed resource materials published by FES, Nepal to the participants as well to the Government and academic institutions. The interaction was followed with floor discussion. Many retired, disabled and single women participated in the discussion. Mr. Sharada Bhakta Ranjit, DIGP, Eastern Regional Police Office appreciated the interaction programme with assuring necessary cooperation among the serving, retired police personnel and single women for the sake of peace, security and justice. The Chief Guest, Mr. DB. Lama, addressed on the importance of Civil Security Cooperation and integrated approaches of security system through people participation. Mr. Devendra Subedi, SP of Morang District Police Office, extended vote of thanks to the organizing committee, resource persons and participants. Mr. Praladha Gajurel, DSP (Retd.) and Chair of the programme concluded the session.

Although there was a strike organized by various political parties in Mechi and some parts of the Koshi Zone at the same time high-way obstruction of Koshi River in Sunsari had made difficulties in smooth traveling, there were 250 participants presented in the interaction.

Conclusion:

The interaction programmes had the aim of sensitizing on the said subjects to the political parties, serving and retired security members, GOs and NGOs officials including the concerned stakeholders from national to local level. Overall interactive programme feedback from the participants showed that they benefited for policy making, planning, programming and implementing security issues in their respective field. Since Nepal is in the transitional political phase, such interaction plays an important role; hence, it is recommended that such programmes should be launched in periodic basis throughout the country. It is also recommended that relevant resource materials should be updated, published and distributed.