Hemanta Malla, former Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) holds expertise in strategic planning, criminal investigation, security, narcotics and in building partnership and governance, among others. Khabarhub caught up with Malla. Some excerpts.

A controversy on the wording of the 11 point agreement reached between CK Raut and the government is doing round? What is your take on this?

I have heard from some influential leaders that the government had prepared and brought forth CK Raut in order to confuse the Terai based political parties and to diffuse their movement. In the current situation, there are no threats due to CK Raut.

However, as for the peace and order situation in the society, crime rate is growing at an alarming rate. Crime rate in the fiscal year 2015/16 was 2.15 whereas it increased to 25 percent in the fiscal year 2016/17. Crime rate in the past four months remains at 34 percent and is expected to rise. Most of the crimes are targeted to women and children while others are related to public offense cases.

The problem is with the weak intelligence system of Nepal Police. The government is talking of confronting the Netra Bikram Chand led Nepal Communist Party (NCP). This is happening at a time when the country is still under transitional phase after emerging from a violent insurgency. People are about to get settled at villages. But the latest situation has raised doubts and fear among these people who are about to start a new life.

Nepal has its own security mechanism and the intelligence system? What ails them from functioning smoothly?

Nepal police in the past was known for its strength in intelligence strategy and practices. However, in the later years there has been interventions in the functioning of police. For example, action is taken against those who are involved in the investigation of a case, like their DNA is examined. This has dampened the spirit of the police personnel.

How do you find the confidence level of our security mechanism?

I find that the confidence level of police force has lowered due to various reasons. One is because of the charges against the investigating officers be that in the Gold case or other. Decrease in their confidence level is also contributed by the way various acts and bills are formulated or drafted. Bills or acts related to police force should be prepared or promulgated upon consultation with them. Similarly, lack of transparency concerning promotion or transfer of police personnel has also lowered their spirit.

How far is the federal set up of the country likely to affect police administration?

Police administration and management should be handled by the federal government. If provinces start recruiting police personnel enacting their own laws, that would impact on the uniformity and functioning of the police system.

Upon the end of (Maoist) insurgency the country got its constitution promulgated by the constituent assembly. It is now led by a majority government. Will peace and security prevail from now on as expected by the people?

For peace and security to prevail, security bodies need to be clear on their strategy. However, at present, security mechanism lacks a clear strategy which leads to a confounding state. Confusion within the leadership heading the security system affects the functioning of the entire system.

Security is a matter of perception. Country’s security system has not derailed as of yet. However, if the confusion persist, that can invite problems in the future due to weakened security system. Security agencies should remain intact from political interventions.