KATHMANDU, Aug 5 : The Armed Police Force (APF) has intensified border security and recalled several officers over the past three months amid concerns of collusion with smugglers. The APF headquarters recalled four Superintendents of Police (SP) and a dozen Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) from their posts, replacing them with new commands after receiving complaints from border districts.

Since April, the APF has dismissed the commands of SPs Kisan Karmacharya in Parsa, Dhan Bahadur Singh in Saptari, Pramod Bharati in Siraha, and Tribhuwan Bista in Kavrepalanchok before their tenures ended. These officers were recalled within four months of taking command.

Similarly, the APF has sought clarification and issued warnings to SPs Bishwa Khadka of Morang, Bimal Dangi of Banke, and Darshan Giri of Dhanusha. DSPs Govind Pokharel from Mahottari, Rabindra Bhatt and Shekhar Dawadi from Dhanusha, and Bhuvan Khadka and Ganesh Khadka from the Koshi Province office are being investigated at the APF headquarters for allegedly assisting in smuggling.

A source within the APF headquarters disclosed that more than a dozen SPs commanding in border districts such as Rautahat, Jhapa, Ilam, Siraha, Banke, and Kailali are under surveillance. The headquarters is also monitoring police officers deployed at the borders who may be under pressure from political leaders.

Inspector General (IG) Raju Aryal has emphasized that the APF's primary responsibility is to tighten border security and assist the Customs and Revenue Investigation Department. He warned that any officer found colluding with smugglers will be immediately relieved of their duties.

During a monthly consultation committee meeting at the APF headquarters, IGP Aryal made it clear that if undercover agents report smuggling operations under the watch of APF officers, those responsible will not only be recalled but also dismissed from their jobs. He has reiterated these strict directives in the virtual meeting.

IGP Aryal also instructed brigade commanders, battalion commanders, and company commanders to tighten border security, assist the customs office, and prevent revenue leakage. “I do not want to receive complaints about increased smuggling in border areas. Be prepared to leave your command if such complaints arise,” he directed during the meeting. Following these strict directives, the APF has begun disciplining officers who fail to meet expectations, according to a source at the APF headquarters.

Kumar Neupane, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and the central spokesperson for the APF, stated that the headquarters has received numerous complaints, and those reported through the “Hello Nepal” hotline are being closely monitored and investigated. “We take each complaint seriously and conduct thorough investigations. We also pay close attention to issues raised by the media,” DSP Neupane said.

APF officials acknowledged that despite strict monitoring, complaints continue to surface at the borders. With limited resources, the armed forces are conducting regular foot patrols and monitoring the border area. However, the APF noted that especially after the arrival of the new Minister of Finance, employees of the ministry have been less cooperative with the Armed Police. “We have carried out our responsibilities well, and if commanders or patrol officers have made mistakes, we have taken action against them. There is no weakness on our part,” an APF officer stated. The APF added that the state should create a separate policy to control smuggling by petty smugglers in no-man’s land, apart from border checkpoints.

The APF recently prepared a report on controlling smuggling by petty smugglers, studying the reasons why border residents engage in such activities and exploring potential alternative employment opportunities the state could provide. The APF identified about 1,000 individuals involved in these activities and claimed that if the state can offer them alternative employment, petty smuggling could be controlled.

Two years ago, the Ministry of Home Affairs formed a task force to monitor, inspect, and study border security and smuggling issues. Led by Joint Secretary Bhishma Kumar Bhusal and including senior officials from Nepal Police, APF, and the National Investigation Department, the task force made several recommendations to curb smuggling.

The report prepared by the task force highlighted that the lack of cross-border smuggling control is due to multiple factors, including the involvement of security personnel, customs officials, businessmen, and political parties. The report noted that while Nepal shares a border with India in 26 districts and with China in 14 districts, smuggling is more prevalent along the open border with India. There are over 220 APF posts and 60 Nepal Police posts on the Nepal-India border, along with other government mechanisms like customs, revenue, immigration, and border administration, which are also active in the area.

 
• APF
 
• smugglers