Worried over increasing crime, pvt sector demands business police

KATHMANDU, JAN 19 -

Amid growing cases of murder, extortion and abduction, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has asked the government to introduce the concept of business police.

“Security has been the top concern and need for industrialists,” said Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar, senior vice president of FNCCI at an interaction with police personnel from the Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s Office.

The recent abduction of industrialist Pawan Sanghai with the involvement of a political figure has made the private sector wary. Sanghai was freed on January 11 from Lawmaker Shyam Sundar Gupta’s captivity after 20 days. “Sanghai’s kidnapping has revealed the dark side of the political leaders,” said Rajkarnikar. “It’s really sad for the entire country that people entrusted with the responsibility to draft the constitution are involved in such a criminal activity.”

Although the number of businessmen/industrialists abduction cases has declined in the last two years, Sanghai is among the 65 industrialists abducted in last five years.

FNCCI said Sanghai’s abduction from the Capital has raised a question mark on the country’s security situation.

Rajkarnikar was critical of the government’s apathy towards the private sector’s demand of industrial security force. “We have been asking the government to form industrial security force since last five years, but the government has not paid heed,” said Rajkarnikar, “Therefore, we ask the Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s Office to work for the introduction of business police.”

He said industrialists could feel safe only if the business police patrol in business centres, revenue offices, markets and industrial corridor. According to Rajkarnikar, a 24-hour security desk at FNCCI will make it easy to mobilise police personnel when needed. “As the industrial sector has a significant contribution in revenue generation, safety is our right,” added Rajkarnikar.

Ravi Shah from Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s Office said in the sixth month of the current fiscal year, one industrialist was murdered and two were abducted. “Labour disputes, political patronage of trade unions and workers’ involvement in political protests are this year’s greatest challenges,” said Shah.

He pledged that while setting up new police posts, priority will be given to places near industries, banks and financial institutions.

Kuber Rana, chief of Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s Office, vowed to work for the introduction of business police, asking FNCCI to come up with a detailed proposal. “After going through the proposal, we will try to fulfil the demands of the private sector staying within the security norms and law,” said Rana.

Source: Kantipur