KATHMANDU: The government has appointed Additional Inspector General of Police Basanta Bahadur Kunwar as the new Inspector General on Friday.

Kunwar, who was appointed to AIG a few days ago, has become the 30th IGP.

He will take the command formally after receiving an insignia on Saturday.

A cabinet meeting held today appointed Kunwar as the new IGP of Nepal Police.

Earlier in the day, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba in a telephonic conversation was said to have asked Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to appoint Kunwar to the post.

Other AIGs vying for the post of IGP included Tek Prasad Rai, Deepak Thapa, Syam Lal Gyawali and Kiran Bajracharya.

IGP Dhiraj Pratap Singh, who had been taking the police command since May 1, 2022 is retiring today.