KATHANDU, Nov 11: The government is preparing to remove Uprendra Kanta Aryal, Inspector General of the Nepal Police, from his post, through the introduction of a new regulation, according to highly-placed sources.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba have reportedly reached an understanding to replace IGP Aryal before his term expires.  Aryal is due to retire by mid-March.

With the preparations to change the police  chief,  the incumbent AIGs have begun lobbying to land the coveted post. The ruling party leaders, however, have failed to agree on a candidate to replace Aryal. 

Relations between IGP Aryal and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi soured after the police chief opposed the minister's bid to withdraw the cases against some of those involved in the Tikapur killings last year and transfer some top police officers posted in some Madhes districts. 

A source at the Home Ministry claimed that the government has registered the draft of the police regulations that  propose to shorten the four-year tenure of the IGP to three years. If the new regulations kick in, Aryal will be retired on November 17. 

A regular cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday was supposed to take a decision on the regulations. However, the meeting was postponed at the eleventh hour.

 
• uprendra kanta aryal