--By Suraksha Adhikari
“It seems the government doesn’t want us industrialists to work in Nepal. If the security situation remains same for few more month, I will close my company”- a small scale industrialist shows his frustration due to the series of ransom and threats.
The above quote explains the present day security situation of the industrial sector of Nepal. Rampant threats, intimidations, abductions for ransom and attacks to the business community have foiled overall business environment of the country. Still emerging from 10-year conflicts with some aftershocks, Nepal is passing through prolonged political transition overshadowing the economic issues. Political instability and resultant fragile law and order have further aggravated the industrial security environment. Attacks on business establishments and burning vehicles during strikes and other political agitation have become a way of life here.
To solve this problem, the private sector has been since over a decade back demanding the government set up specialized industrial security force. Now that demand is met and the industrial security force is being set up at a number of locations. But to expect this force to be a total solution o the different kinds of security problems is naïve. Therefore, a number of private sector security companies have been set up and different types of security equipments are being made available from the private sector itself.
The numerical strength of security force of the country at the moment is around 185 thousand which has the responsibility to safeguard the bulging population of about 30 million. Add on that the ongoing political instability with rise of various insurgent groups and the task becomes more difficult. In such situation, providing security to every firm from the existing security force is really a tough job. Providing security from government hence has been a mere topic of general discussion.
Therefore, private security companies like Group 4 Security Services (G4S) and Garud Securities are doing their part in creating a system of security arrangement which not only protects the properties of the industrial sector but also tries its part in creating a favorable environment for foreign investment. According to the Deepak Raut, Manager- Sales and Marketing of G4S Security System Pvt Ltd the industry people realize that at present to expect security service from government doesn’t looks practical and hence are slowly shifting their focus towards private security agencies.
According to him the demand for Access Control Systems, CCTV Systems (including IP based and video analytics), Intruder Detection Systems, Biometric Systems, Time and Attendance systems, Automatic Gates and Barriers, Fire Detection Systems, Fire Suppression Systems, Emergency Lighting, Metal Detectors-Ray Baggage Systems, Narcotic & Explosive Detectors, ID Cards and Systems, Central Monitoring & Vehicle Tracking, Asset Management Systems is on the rise with each firm realizing the importance of security system especially in a country like Nepal where the political situation is extremely volatile. He also said the demand for security services is high on embassies, multinational organizations, foreign missions, hospitality industry, airlines, petrochemical, banking institutes, hydro power projects. Raut also said that the demand of security service is being acknowledged from every part of the country with cities like Biratnagar, Birgunj, Nepalgunj, Pokhara leading the forte.
The security equipment like armored car services, lie detection services, remote control systems to catch the thieves are still not in practice in Nepal. Similarly the private sector companies are not provided security equipment except security guard and a Khukuri. Keeping firing arms to use at the time of insurgency is still very debatable which was the main reason to restrict security companies from keeping the arms. But now as the nation is almost over from those period, private companies also should be allowed to keep the heavy arms for the safety.
