KATHMANDU, Dec 29: The Armed Police Force is retiring four DIGs (Deputy Inspectors General) before they complete 25 years of service. Although they are about to complete four years as DIGs, they have only completed 24 years since starting their careers.
The Armed Police Force (APF) Headquarters has sent a proposal to extend their term by one year, as per the Armed Police Force Regulations 2071. According to the Armed Police Force Regulations 2072, the government can extend a DIG's term by one year if deemed necessary when they are about to retire after completing a four-year term. The Armed Police Force Headquarters has confirmed that it has sent the proposal accordingly.
DIG Kamal Giri, Ganesh Thada Magar, and Kulbahadur Nembang entered service as police inspectors on June 17, 1999. DIG Shambhu Subedi joined earlier. After the APF was established, the force transferred all four officers. During the country’s conflict period, the four faced various challenges.
DIG Giri now heads the Armed Police Force Training Academy, Thada Magar leads the Number-3 Battalion in Bagmati Province, Nembang heads the Number-4 Battalion in Gandaki Province, and Subedi leads the Number-1 Battalion in Koshi Province. Subedi is currently visiting the United States.
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The Ministry of Home Affairs has already received a proposal to extend their term, as they are set to retire after completing their term on January 7, 2025. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi are preparing to send the proposal to the Cabinet for approval. "The Cabinet will likely receive the proposal to extend their term in the upcoming meeting," said a source from the ministry.
The Armed Police Force regulations set the term of a DIG at four years. Based on the legal provision to extend the term by one year, the Armed Police Headquarters has proposed to the ministry to prevent them from leaving and ensure they serve full-time in government service. "The proposed Armed Police Act removes the 30-year service limit. Under the current provision, their service period is not yet complete, and they can still serve for another five years.
The government has made a significant investment in them, so sending them home now is not appropriate. Considering the provisions for civil servants, the army, and Nepal Police, we have proposed extending their term," said a source from the Armed Police Headquarters.
The Armed Police Force Regulations 2072 BS allow the government to extend a DIG's term by one year if deemed necessary after completing the four-year term. The Inspector General of Armed Police (IGP) makes the proposal for this extension. Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi has accepted the proposal to extend the term of the four DIGs by one year. "The ministry has received a proposal to extend the term of the four DIGs by one year, as per the regulations," said Home Secretary Duwadi.
A source from the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that their term will be extended before January 7, 2025. Earlier, DIG Kishore Pradhan, serving at the Number-9 Pashupati Battalion in the Kathmandu Valley, had his term extended. However, he will retire on January 23, 2025, before completing the one-year extension, due to the lack of additional positions for AIGs. Currently, the service period for DIGs in the Armed Police Force from Sisne 1 has reached 21 years, and they have completed two years as DIGs. The DIGs include Suresh Shrestha, Anjanikumar Pokharel, Deependra Shah, and Purushottam Thapa. Deepak Adhikari also became a DIG shortly afterward.
The Armed Police Force has frequently discussed the provision of extending a DIG's term by one year due to the short duration of their service. Under the current provision, Sisne 1 will also face this issue in the next two years. However, the proposed Armed Police Force Act sets the term of a DIG at five years. If parliament passes the new law, it is expected to alleviate some of the current issues faced by the Armed Police Force.
Two DIG positions vacant for four months
The Armed Police Force has had two vacant DIG positions since September 1, 2024. The promotion process for these positions has not yet begun. Kumar Khatri and Durga Prasad Bhattarai retired after completing 30 years of service, creating the vacancies. Manish Thapa and Krishna Dhakal from the first batch (Sisne 1) are the natural candidates for promotion.
However, Senior Superintendent of Armed Police, Deependra Kunwar, has also been vying for promotion. Despite Kunwar from Sisne 2 attempting for promotion, reports indicate that obstacles in his promotion do exist. Kunwar’s attempts to bypass the previous batch for promotion have caused delays in the DIG promotion process, according to Armed Police officers. Kunwar is the brother-in-law of Bhanu Deuba, nephew of Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba.
