The temporary office that is currently being used does not even have basic facilities like toilets. The police officers go to the old building for breakfast and dinner. They use the toilets there and also do their washing and bathing in the same building.
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There is a burnt-out building on the banks of the Bagmati River near Tinkune. On the top of the building, a blue board still has the words 'Police Circle New Baneshwor' written in white letters.
The building, which has been burnt black, has no windows and doors, and the smell is still the same. Those traveling along this road can easily feel it. The building was completely burned down on Bhadra 24 when protesters set it on fire during the Gen-G movement. Currently, the police are providing services from the old Citizens Investment Fund building in Baneshwor under difficult conditions. However, the space there is very cramped for both police personnel and service recipients.
‘Even after the building burned down, our efforts are continuing to provide services in the old style,’ said Deputy Superintendent of Police Hari Khatiwada, the head of the office. ‘But it is becoming difficult to provide services in an organized manner because of the small space. Due to overcrowding, we have not been able to establish the same system as before.’ The place where the service recipients live is also not good, however, we are providing services continuously as per the problem.'
According to Khatiwada, even though tables are placed inside the tent, incidents like rape, robbery and missing persons are being given immediate priority. 'There were about 10 rooms for various branches including the case branch, promotion branch, special branch, etc. from where public services were provided,' he said, 'but now we are forced to provide services through two-three rooms and a tent.'
Currently, 123 policemen are working in the circle. On the day of the fire, their uniforms and personal belongings were also burnt along with the barracks. Now, even though they are sleeping on the floor of a narrow room without a bed, they are working in public service with the feeling that 'duty should not stop'.
The police have also started repair work in the burnt building with the help of locals. After the installation of CCTV, the service has been resumed as a liaison office.
The police tried hard to save the building that day. According to Police Inspector Pushparaj Thapa, it was difficult to save it because the circle was below the road, so it was easy for the protesters to throw stones. ‘When we fired tear gas for self-defense, they threw it at us. Since the office was in a ditch, it was also difficult to protect,’ Thapa said, ‘Despite our attempts to explain and explain to the thousands of protesters, the crowd got out of control. We were not hurt.’
‘After the protesters used tear gas and stones at us with the weapons they had stolen, we tried to escape through the nearby VS building to the office,’ he said, recalling that day, ‘But the protesters made us take off our clothes in the same building and took us to the river. We managed to escape. After that, we could not even communicate with each other for three days.’
15 police officers who were injured in that incident are still resting at home. Some have returned to service after simple treatment. 'After the building burned, there has been a problem with even the toilet. It is even more difficult for female police officers. Not only bathing, but also going to the toilet during the day is a problem,' says Police Constable Asha Chaudhary, 'Earlier, it was customary to come from home wearing police uniforms, now it is scary. It has only been a few days since the normal changing room was built. There are many problems, what can I say...'
She was on duty at the main gate of the circle on the day the building burned. The memory of the incident still haunts her. After the continuous attack on the police office, she called her husband and returned home in civilian clothes.
Currently, everyone living in the barracks uses the toilet of the old building. After cleaning, arrangements have been made to cook and eat in the same building. The police have continued to provide service even with limited resources and means. During the demonstration, four police vehicles and a motorcycle were also burnt along with the computer of this circle. Important documents were also burnt. Arms were looted. On the day of the demonstration, more than 60 people, including the detainees arrested on charges of raping a 13-month-old girl, escaped.
This circle covers wards 10, 31 and 32 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City as well as wards 7, 8 and 9 of Kageshwori Manahara Municipality. Kandaghari and Koteshwor divisions are also under this circle. While other divisions are gradually returning to normal, no one has an answer to the question of when Baneshwor circle will return to its previous rhythm. But the local residents have formed a committee and are working to restore the police office to its previous condition.
