He issued a warning to top police officers, saying he would not hesitate to take stern action against them if found involved in protecting criminals. [break]
"I have given clear instructions to the home minister, the home secretary and senior police officers to take immediate measures to curb criminal activities," Nepal said at a function organized at Koteshwar in the capital, Saturday morning. "If anyone found involved in giving protection to criminals and making dillydallying in taking action against the guilty, the government will take strong action against those."
The top police officers usually complain that they are unable to act against the criminals or slap charges against them due to pressure from political parties throughout the country. These officers allege that the parties often pressurize them to release those arrested by the police, arguing that the accused are their party members and innocent.
The prime minister also expressed his commitment to punish the murderer of popular Pundit Narayan Pokharel, who was declared religious martyr by this government a few days back.
He accused the Unified CPN (Maoist) party of protecting criminals. "Don´t give protection to murderers and criminals inside the Maoist army cantonments. Hand them over to the government," he said. "Otherwise the Maoist party may face the people´s fury."
He said the government will have to take stern actions with strong determination against such elements if the Maoist party is found protecting criminals.
Maoists spitting too much venom
Nepal suggested senior Maoist leaders not to spit venom saying that it was already too much.
The prime minister said that at first he had taken Maoist criticism as normal reactions following a step-down from the government. "But, it´s too much," he said.
"If you find great solace in slandering Madhav Kumar Nepal and the government all the time, then I would suggest you better do it round the clock. I would recommend you to conduct a yagya (religious ceremony) to slander the government and organize a gali saptaha (weeklong slander recitation program)," he said.
He claimed he did not make mistake by becoming prime minister after Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal. It is a government supported by 359 of the 601-member Constituent Assembly (CA), he said. "We formed the government after prime minister´s post was vacant. Therefore, it should be taken as normal move," he added.
Related story
Criminals, corrupt people must face action: NCP leader Nepal
