English - Support to Participatory Constitution Building in Nepal ...

Proliferation of small arms3.6 Other important tasksThe following issues need to be addressed if the political actors will tominimise small arms related risk to peace process and state building.3.6.1 Strengthening police forceOne of the main responses to violent crime and insecurity is to strengthenpolice force. It means making police well-equipped (providing requiredequipments), resourceful (physical facilities) professional (competency,commitment, dynamism, ethics, knowledge, skills and information),neutral (operation based on its own motto, not on the interests of homeministry officials, home ministers or associated parties) and accountableto people instead of a certain party (Chapter 11 in this book details thisissue up to scrutiny).Private security providers are emerging and adding new dimensions tosecurity. They are becoming an important part of the security system.Therefore, it has to be dealt with broader national security concerns.Several private security companies are operating in Nepal to providesecurity and protection of persons and properties mainly. Their servicesare not always associated with arms and often defensive instead ofoffensive to cater general level of security services to the private sector, I/NGOs and individuals. So far in Nepal, they are mainly involved in physicalprotection, close protection as body guards and helpers, surveillance, riskassessments etc. Hence, a clear policy that supports national security andcomplements to the state security system is needed.3.6.2 Neutrality and accountabilityCombating insecurity and achieving stable democracy will be impossible, ifsecurity and bureaucracy are not allowed to operate in their professionalnorms in accordance with the legally defined mandate. One of the mainchallenges at this situation is to maintain neutrality of security forces andmake them accountable. It has to come from both the security forcesthemselves and the politicians. Civil society can work as a watchdog.3.6.3 Community securityAchieving transitional security requires full support and cooperation fromthe concerned community. A collaborative approach (among securityforces, local politicians, community members, media and intellectuals) iscrucially important to achieve transitional security. Security forces needinformation, physical and moral support to combat crime, violence andassociated challenges.254