- Development: Police seek choppers for quick response against highly mobile criminals in southern plains.
- Background: Home Ministry planned to buy a pair of choppers for Nepal Police in 2002 when Maoist insurgency was at its peak. But, the plan failed due to fierce resistance mainly from Nepal Army.
- Implication: The present practice of hiring expensive privately-owned choppers for quick action will end and better-equipped choppers will add to police air-patrolling capability.
KATHMANDU, July 31: As part of the Special Security Plan phase II, the Home Ministry has initiated groundwork for purchasing a pair of helicopters for the police force to counter highly mobile criminals in the southern plains and eastern and mid-western hill districts.[break]
Highly-placed sources at the ministry told Republica that they are looking into the feasibility of buying two helicopters, probably one Russian made MI 17 and a smaller one, maybe a six-seater.
"We have started looking into available options to buy two helicopters, but it will be for the second phase, which is likely to come into implementation after six months" said the sources, declining to elaborate. However, they hinted that the MI-17 might be one of the choices, given its affordability, past performance and suitability for Nepal´s difficult terrain.
Explaining the urgent need for helicopters for quelling escalating crime, particularly in the Tarai and remote hill districts, sources said helicopters are urgently needed not just for security patrolling in troubled parts of the country but also for handling rescue operations in times of calamity like floods, landslides and epidemics.
Though the demand for at least one helicopter for the police is a long-running one, this time they are really pushing hard for the resources to procure the choppers, said the sources.
When asked about the financial constraint on purchasing two helicopters, the sources said the Finance Ministry might be ready to provide the resources to procure one helicopter this year. "We are trying our level best to procure at least one helicopter, if two are not possible at one time."
As per the initial plan, the helicopters will be managed by the Nepal Police and will be mobilized as per the needs of all three security agencies -Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Intelligence Department.
Determined to take on the menace of criminal groups operating in various parts of the country, the government recently introduced a Special Security Plan in the troubled Tarai districts and the eastern and mid-western hills.
Security officials say helicopters will help increase the mobility of police in far flung areas, especially in hill districts not easy of access on foot.
Asked about the Ministry´s plans, Home Secretary Dr Gobinda Kusum said there is a need for helicopters for rapid police response but declined to comment further.
Apart from private operators, the Nepal Army currently has four MI-17 choppers, but two are grounded due to lack of timely maintenance.
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