Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said on Friday that the government has prioritised career improvement of government attorneys and police to ensure effective law and order in the country. 

Speaking at the inaugural session of the first national conference of government attorneys and police on Friday, PM Dahal underscored the need for enhancing competence of officials and coordination between the two government agencies. 

“Government attorneys and police complement each other, be it in investigation or in the process of prosecution of the accused,” said Dahal. “The justice delivery system will be efficient if we enhance the capacity of the officials.”

Stating that government has already allocated budget for improvement of attorney offices as well as High Courts, PM Dahal said that increment in incentives for police personal and attorney general officials is also in the offing. 

“We also have conflict-era issues to be addressed,” said Dahal, referring to transitional justice issues, adding: “Investigating and prosecuting agencies have a crucial role to play to conclude the process. The government expects support in this regard.”

Nepal Police Chief Upendra Kanta Aryal also underscored the need of coordination between the investigating and prosecuting bodies. He sought supportive role of the political leadership in ending impunity, referring to criminals taking refuge in political parties on various occasions. 

President of Nepal Bar Association Sher Bahadur KC said the government attorneys should be given the sole authority to prepare a case against the accused. He argued that the quasi judicial bodies should not be given the authority to punish the accused. “Similarly, police should investigate only criminal cases, not civilian cases; it will be against criminal jurisprudence,” said KC.