Kathmandu, Nov. 5 -- Less than 24 hours after its regular meeting on Tuesday, the Cabinet convened again on Wednesday and decided to remove Nepal Police Inspector General Dan Bahadur Karki from his position. In an unusual twist, the government simultaneously appointed him the prime minister's special security adviser, despite citing dissatisfaction with his performance as police chief.

The decision has raised questions about the government's approach to the police force, particularly its willingness to change the leadership of a key law enforcement institution to suit its political preferences.

Karki was replaced by Manoj KC, who ranked third in the police hierarchy. Breaking with the tradition of having the home secretary confer the in...