KATHMANDU, DEC 19 - King Gyanendra inaugurated the Armed Police Forces (APF) Headquarters in Halchowk, Swayambhu, amid a formal function this morning.
The king, along with Queen Komal, also inspected the AFP complex, built at the total cost of Rs. 93,682,000.
On the occasion, acting Prime Minister Prakash Chandra Lohani lauded AFP for their contributions to strengthening security.
The Armed Police Forces Chief Sahabir Thapa also briefed those present on the roles and relevance of the APF in today’s fragile security climate.
"The limited number of APF personnel, however, has been a sore point in our operations," said the Chief. Currently, there are 17,000 personnel in the APF.
After significant setbacks suffered by the police against Maoist offensives and due to the reluctance of the army for mobilisation against the insurgency, the then government formulated a policy decision for the formation of the APF in December 1999.
A month later, the Armed Police Force Service Commission was formed. After the commission submitted its report to the government, the first APF Ordinance was issued in January 2001, leading to the formation of the force.
After the inauguration ceremony, the king conferred upon acting Superintendent of Police Poshendra Dhoj Khand the decoration of the best APF operation officer of the year.
To date, the APF has lost 171 personnel, including the then APF Chief Krishna Mohan Shrestha, in insurgency-related incidents. Currently, there are 111 APF posts throughout the country.
The spacious APF headquarters includes newly constructed office buildings, barracks, auditorium, medical hall and playground built in 140 ropanis of the 316-ropani plot, previously belonging to the National Construction Company Nepal and transferred to the APF in September 2001.Posted on: 2003-12-20 02:21

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