Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandrakuber Khapung has commented that the first attack after every change is on the police. IGP Khapung, who is about to retire after completing 30 years of service, said that after every change, the police are attacked and the police themselves suffer the injuries.

Before retiring, Khapung, while addressing a farewell ceremony held at the police headquarters on Wednesday, also asked who he would ask for answers for the attacks on the police and the injuries he suffered. Khapung, who joined the service as a police inspector in Kartik 2052, became the IGP on 19 Bhadra. He remained in the police leadership for 69 days since then. During this period, Khapung was in the leadership during the Gen-G movement on 23 Bhadra, which caused unimaginable human losses, and the next day, when vandalism, arson, looting, and national monuments were burned to ashes across the country. The commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki, formed to investigate the public funds after the Gen-G movement, has already started taking statements from police officials, saying that they suppressed the Gen-G movement and failed to provide security the next day.

The commission had asked IGP Khapung for a 24-hour explanation for not providing the details requested during the investigation and had also warned him, "Why not take action?" The commission has already started taking statements from the police who will be deployed in the field on 23 and 24 Bhadra.

"The experiences I have gained during this short but challenging journey are not only personal, but also profound for the entire organization and the nation. In the short period since I took office, a series of serious and unexpected incidents have seriously challenged the peace and security of the entire country. The deaths of ordinary citizens under the guise of youth protests and movements, arson at national heritage sites as well as police offices, looting of weapons and attacks on police personnel have shocked us all," Khapung said. "The incident has deeply damaged the morale of the police and has mentally traumatized many of my friends. The patience and cooperation shown by you (police) during times of emergency has made the police stronger. The integrity of the police is the backbone of the organization. The organization is run by the dedication of the police, it has stood by the sacrifices of the police, your values ​​have shone, your dedication has inspired the organization to rise again.'

He also said that the increased interest among the general public in security after the movement has conveyed the message that the existence of the police is related to the security and service of the people. He said that the hundreds of reconstructions completed immediately with the help of the general public have given the organization additional momentum.

He claims that the police have succeeded in restoring peace and security by maintaining professionalism and loyalty to the constitution in the complex role of the transitional period after the movement, growing dissatisfaction, and sensitive security challenges.

After the Gen-G movement, he says that now everyone should work towards maintaining the autonomy of the police and now is the right time.

'The debate on the autonomy of the police has come at the most appropriate time. Autonomy and professional police can provide impartial and accountable service based on the constitution and law,' he said, 'I want to give the message to the government, policy makers, builders and people's representatives that we have the opportunity to make the police a professional institution guided by the constitution and law, keeping it away from interference.' 

He also said that the government formed after the Gen-G movement has played a parental role towards the police. 'The approach of the government formed after the movement towards the police is very positive and parental. We have requested the government to take policy-level corrective steps rather than small things to boost the morale of the police.'

He said that in the context of political changes faced during his short leadership, he has made every effort to maintain the existence of the police, boost the morale of the police, and maintain organizational values, brotherhood and a sense of belonging.

Khapung also commented that compared to the past, personal discipline that keeps organizational values ​​and solidarity intact is eroding. ‘In today’s situation where the entire country and the police organization are going through a transitional phase, I have seen the challenge for the new leadership to maintain organizational solidarity and distinguish between professional and non-professional police officers.’ 

Khapung was set to retire on Thursday, and Monday’s cabinet meeting promoted senior-most AIG Dan Bahadur Karki to IGP. On Wednesday, newly appointed IGP Karki bid farewell to officers who were retiring from their service, including Khapung, during a program organized at the police headquarters. 

Karki was competing for the IGP position with AIGs Rajan Adhikari, Manoj KC, and Siddhi Bikram Shah. However, the government promoted Karki, who was ranked first in the ranking. Karki, who entered the service on 18 Chaitra 2054, will remain in the leadership for about 29 months, provided the current 30-year service period is maintained. The officers who entered the service with him will also remain in office for that period. However, the past wrong practice of trying to reach the leadership and internal conflicts among higher officials rather than working within the chain of command, has not stopped the tendency of the police organization to be unstable and controversial.

Khapung, who is about to retire, also indicated this and said that discipline within the organization is deteriorating.

Four days after Khapung took over the leadership of the police, the then KP Sharma Oli-led government was accused of suppressing the Gen-G movement. Not only that, on 24 Bhadra, protests against the previous day's repression turned violent across the country, causing unimaginable loss of life and property. The President's House, Parliament, Supreme Court, Singha Durbar, Prime Minister's Residence, CIAA, offices of political parties, residences of various leaders, and commercial buildings/establishments were destroyed in the Gen-G movement on 24 Bhadra. More than 450 barracks and offices of the police alone were damaged.