By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Jan. 8: Internal and external exercises have begun inside the Nepal Police Headquarters for the top-notch post of Inspector General of Police (IGP) as the term of sitting IGP Sarbendra Khanal is expiring on February 12.
Names of three one-star police officers (Deputy Inspector Generals)-Thakur Gyawali, Tarani Prasad Lamsal and Surya Upadhyay—are in the race for the top post of Nepal Police.
DIG Thakur Gyawali, the senior most among two others DIGs, Lamsal and Upadhyay -- was named as an alternative candidate in the post of police inspector in 1989 when IGP Khanal was selected as a successful candidate.
IGP Khanal is completing his tenure under the provision of the current Nepal Police’s Regulation’s Section 127 and its sub section-1 (Gha) of 2014. According to this provision, one gets compulsory retirement from the post if he/she completes his/her 30 years’ service in the institution.
Under the same provision, along with IGP Khanal three other Additional Inspectors General (AIGs) Pushkar Karki, Thule Rai and Dhiru Basnyat are also getting compulsory retirement.
When this provision was implemented, the government especially the Home Ministry has to pick one senior most police officer only from DIG level since the Regulation’s section 127 came into effect.
Present three AIGs- Karki, Rai and Basnyat- are also the batch mates of IGP Khanal.
Apart from their retirement, the other 19 DIGs who had joined the forces along with current IGP Khanal, will also retire on February 12.
DIGs trio Gyawali, Lamsal and Upadhyay had joined the service on July 9, 1990. Among many other DIGs, three of them are the senior most DIGs in the Nepal Police at present.
But if in case, the present government chooses to appoint the IGP from the present three senior DIGs among Gyawali, Lamsal and Upadhyay, they will not enjoy the stint even for a year. If this happens, they will get only five months term to lead the institution because of the provision of retiring in 30 years.
DIG Gyawali is currently in State 1 as the State Police Chief, Lamsal at Sudur Paschim State and Upadhyay at the Police Headquarters, Naxal.
The provision has also given room to the government that out of three competing DIGs, the Home Ministry’s recommendation committee may pick any of them, but while doing so, the government will have the obligation to pick only senior most officer.
Normally, the Home Ministry will begin the process to appoint IGP and their work appraisal sheets before the term of the sitting IGP expires in 15 days.
The Ministry will form a recommendation committee for the appointment of IGP based upon the
collected documents and work appraisal report and the recommendation made the promotion committee will be handed to Home Minister and the Home Minister will table the recommendation at the Cabinet meeting for final endorsement.