New bill to replace seven-decade-old Police Act; home minister announces plan to add police posts

The government has said it is moving forward a new Police bill to replace the nearly seven-decade-old Police Act.

Home Minister Sudan Gurung gave this information at a ceremony held at Police Headquarters in Naxal on Friday on the occasion of the 71st Police Day. According to him, an organization and management survey has proposed increasing the number of police posts.

The Home Minister announced that transfers and promotions will be made system-based, and provisions related to tenure will also be revised. He said housing, health and risk allowances are being expanded, and that security personnel deployed in rescue operations during the Bhadau floods and landslides were given risk allowances and snack expenses.

Home Minister Gurung also warned that there would be no impunity for anyone leaking sensitive state information. He directed the police to maintain zero tolerance toward corruption, abuse of power and favoritism.

He also instructed that the principles of necessity, proportionality and accountability be followed when using force in crowd control. He said investment in AI, digital forensics, cyber investigation and DNA profiling is the government's top priority.

He recalled that at the recently concluded BIMSTEC home ministers' meeting in New Delhi, emphasis was placed on increasing information exchange and technological cooperation to control cross-border crime.

He also said all police offices would be digitized and that a policy would be introduced to make use of retired police personnel's experience. He said the police uniform should be a symbol of trust and security, not fear.