Aagya Khabar
Bardibas
Bardibas Municipality, regarded as the northern gateway of Mahottari district, has been rapidly developing in terms of economy, society, and culture. Being a junction point of the East–West Highway and the Mid-Hill Highway that connects the Terai and the Hills, Bardibas holds significant geographic and strategic importance. However, alongside urban development, criminal activities have also become more diverse here. Incidents such as theft, robbery, fraud, road accidents, drug abuse and trafficking, domestic violence, gender-based violence, and sex trade frequently surface in Bardibas. Amid these challenges, the role of the police is considered decisive in making Bardibas a safe and peaceful city.
With this in mind, the Area Police Office Bardibas has, in recent years, prioritized crime control by adopting various strategies. Regular patrolling, monitoring of suspicious locations, sudden checkpoints, the use of CCTV in the Postal Highway and major market areas, and awareness programs at schools and community levels reflect the police’s proactive efforts.
In particular, Bardibas police have taken strict measures against drug trafficking. Considering the possibility of narcotics being transported through Bardibas from border districts to cities such as Kathmandu and Pokhara, the police have tightened surveillance. Recently, under the leadership of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bikash Bam, the Bardibas Area Police Office has arrested several individuals with drugs and made them face legal action, according to published data.
Realizing that crime control cannot be achieved solely through police efforts, Bardibas police have given special emphasis to community cooperation. Awareness classes in schools, interaction programs with women’s groups, participation in ward-level meetings of the municipality, and involving local youths in nighttime patrols are examples of police–community partnerships.
Similarly, through the “Police as Friends of Citizens” campaign, the police have initiated direct contact with citizens. This not only helps in crime prevention but also strengthens trust and closeness between police and the public.
Although the police have been active in crime control in Bardibas, some challenges remain. With the rapid population growth, the nature of crimes is also changing. Uncontrolled settlements, unemployment, poverty, cross-border criminal networks, and digital crimes make it difficult for the police to maintain control.
Furthermore, the shortage of manpower, lack of modern equipment and infrastructure, insufficient number of CCTV cameras, absence of forensic lab facilities, and limited vehicles and police personnel in sanctioned posts have posed significant obstacles to strengthening crime control in Bardibas.
In this regard, with a long-term vision of making Bardibas a crime-free city, the police have initiated some new measures. Priorities include installing additional CCTV cameras in public places, launching plans to investigate digital (cyber) crimes, strengthening women- and child-friendly services, and making community police posts under the Bardibas Area Police Office more effective. Likewise, efforts are being made to strengthen collaboration between the municipality and the police. Plans such as introducing legal education and crime awareness programs in schools, providing self-defense training to women, and making peace and security committees at the local level more effective are expected to contribute to future crime control.
Though Bardibas remains a sensitive area in terms of crime, the proactive role of the police and partnership with the community have brought significant progress in crime control. To make this effort more effective, prioritizing modern technology, adequate resources, and coordination with local authorities could help establish Bardibas as a safe, peaceful, and well-organized city.
