Nepal, June 23 -- The government is moving forward with plans to procure weapons and crowd-control equipment worth Rs 990 million for the Nepal Police by the end of the current fiscal year 2024/25. This move comes despite Nepal's ongoing economic challenges. A total budget of Rs 1 billion had been allocated earlier in the fiscal year for the purpose, and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Police Headquarters have already initiated the procurement process.

According to a source at Police Headquarters, the intended purchase includes 9 mm pistols and shotguns. It is notable that lethal weapons have not been procured for the Nepal Police in recent years. Now, however, preparations are underway to acquire them-without any formal study on whethe...