International Police Organisation (Interpol) is preparing to install biometrics devices in four places of Nepal in a bid to track movements of terrorists and criminals and also to curb illegal entry to the country by presenting forged travel documents.

Process is underway to install these mind devices, also known as Mobile Interpol Network Database, in Rakxaul of Birgunj, Bhairahawa of Rupandehi, Rasuwagadhi and Pokhara-based immigration office, sources said.

So far, Nepal has three such biometric authentication systems installed at Special Bureau of Police Headquarters, Central Bureau of Investigation and Tribhuvan International Airport.

The device uses physical characteristics of people such as face shape, finger prints, etc to screen people and documents against Interpol databases.

Chief of Interpol Division Kiran Bajracharya said that the devices will verify the travel document such as identification card, passport, visa and administrative document against the Interpol database, which will strengthen border security. 

The database will track the movement of red corner notice of Interpol in the country and verify the travel document’s legality in few seconds. It will also alert the security agency of the country on the possible danger from criminal activities, said Bajracharya.

“The device will immediately identify whether the presented documents are valid or not,” she said, “If found illegal, the concerned people can be taken under control for further investigation.”

A training session was held on Thursday to educate 12 police officers and five immigration officers of the border areas and offices where such biometrics devices are being installed. They were trained on handling the device and its importance.

Nepal started managing Interpol database from 2014. According to Bajracharya, since than 150 foreigners’ travel documents have been found illegal against the Interpol database while 30 Nepalis’ documents have been hit in abroad.

Pokhara Immigration Office Chief Ram Chandra Adhikari said that the devices will be useful in controlling and managing the movement of tourists entering Nepal illegally.

Nepal Police’s Province number 4 Chief AIG Kamal Singh Bam expressed his hope that the biometrics will help in controlling criminal activities in the country.