Kathmandu, Jan 29: The United States has blacklisted two strategic units of Nepal’s security forces based on credible allegation of involvement in serious human rights violations, said the US Department of State. The blacklisted units include the intelligence agency of the Nepal Police.
Since 2021, the special forces at the headquarters of the Nepal Police and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) in Maharajganj have been considered ineligible for cooperation by the US in accordance with the Leahy Law, says the US Department.
According to the details mentioned by the US Department of State, the units of Nepal Police and the Nepali Army are also included in the list of security forces that will not be provided any assistance under Clause 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
The U.S. Government had since 2017 started making public the units that have been banned from foreign aid.
That year, Bhairabnath Battalion and Yuddhbhairab Battalion, which were kept as special forces under the Directorate General of Military Operations of the Nepali Army, were included in the list.
In 2018, Devidatta Battalion, Number 2 Jagdal Battalion under the Mid-Division Headquarters of the Nepali Army, and Rudradhoj Battalion under the Sudurpaschim Division Headquarters were included in the list.
Two police units, the Special Bureau at the Nepal Police Headquarters and the CIB, Maharajganj, were included in the 2021 list.
The special bureau under the Naxal-based police headquarters functions like an intelligence agency and collects sensitive information about national security, it has been said.
The CIB is tasked with investigating specific types of crimes.
When asked, the US government has said it would stop aid to any accused units in the list for serious human rights violation.
