Nepal Police Identifies Social Media Misuse and Financial Crimes as Key Security Challenges

Kathmandu. Nepal Police has identified the misuse of social media and increasing financial crimes as the main security challenges at present. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Deputy Inspector General and spokesperson Binod Singh KC stated that there is an increased risk of communal, ethnic, and religious harmony being disturbed due to misinformation and disinformation disseminated through social media. Police statistics show a significant rise in financial crimes and cybercrimes in recent times. Spokesperson KC informed that among the analysis of ten major types of crimes, 'scamming' related to cybercrime has been observed more frequently. 'Recent incidents have confirmed that any activity, if not coordinated and prevented in time, can take a dire form,' said spokesperson KC, adding, 'We have taken the security challenges created by the misuse of social media seriously.' He stated that to overcome such security challenges and minimize potential crimes, the Nepal Police Headquarters has formulated a special action plan and initiated its implementation. He mentioned that the police administration is alert from the beginning for crime prevention and will proceed according to the action plan. Nepal Police has put forward a plan to modernize the organization and make it technology-friendly by making extensive improvements in information technology, human resource management, and physical infrastructure. At the press conference held on Friday, DIG KC provided detailed information about the future form and action plan of the police. The police have proposed to establish an 'Anti Cyber Scam Center' to reduce cybercrime and scamming incidents. This center, to be located at the Cyber Bureau, will have representatives from Nepal Police, Nepal Rastra Bank, Bankers Association, Nepal Telecommunications Authority, and Internet Service Providers as contact persons. DIG KC stated that considering the increasing cybercrime, the Inspector General of Police has given high priority to this project. In terms of physical infrastructure, the police aim to establish an 'Integrated Command Center' at all three levels – central, provincial, and district. This will facilitate coordination among representatives of all concerned bodies in emergency situations. Similarly, to make traffic management modern and service-oriented, GPS systems will be installed in all patrol teams and vehicles. To address communal and security challenges that may arise through misinformation, disinformation, and 'deepfakes', there is a plan to expand the Social Media Coordination Desk to the provincial level. The police have stated that such activities will be identified and discouraged in time through the use of artificial intelligence. To make crime investigation more objective, 'Cyber Desks' will be established in all district police offices. Furthermore, the Forensic Science Laboratory and Digital Forensic Lab will be expanded to the provincial level, and skilled manpower will be deployed. The police have also initiated the process of purchasing advanced equipment such as Facial Recognition System, Call Interception, Blockchain Analysis Tools, and Crime Scene Scanners. Regarding human resource management, a policy is being prepared to implement online training, leadership development, and performance-based evaluation systems, informed KC. Necessary actions are also being taken based on the report of the study committee formed for police uniform modification. Information was given that the work on the National Police Training Institute being constructed in Panauti, Kavre, with the grant assistance of the Government of India, is 91 percent complete. Out of approximately 822 ropanis of land, 646 ropanis are covered by this project, under which 48 buildings and a total of 67 structures are being constructed. Police have also prioritized the upgrade of the radio communication system and the expansion of an integrated smart CCTV network at urban entry points, informed KC.