In response to increasing Maoist attacks on unarmed traffic police, the government is considering arming them with light guns for their self-defence, the Kathmandu Post said Wednesday.

A decision to allow all traffic police to carry firearms is likely since they have become the targets of the Maoists, the daily said quoting officials at Valley Traffic Police Office (VTPO).

“We have long been demanding the Police Headquarters to allow the traffic police to carry fire arms for their personnel safety but we have not been authorised to do so,” said Surendra Bahadur Pal, chief of the VTPO.

At least seven traffic policemen on duty have been shot dead by the Maoists during the last year. Three of them were shot dead in Dhangadhi last week, the daily added.