IGP Shrestha, wife being cremated Monday

January 26, 2003
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IGP of Armed Police Force Krishna Mohan Shrestha and wife, murdered by suspected Maoists in the Valley after a morning visit to a temple, will be cremated Monday, his family said. Rebels also killed a bodyguard in a shoot-out in which eight rebels may have been involved, fresh reports said.

Shrestha, 55, was born in Chainpur. He joined the civilian police 32 years ago after obtaining a master’s degree in arts. He was the first IGP of the Armed Police Force (APF).

The APF was formed by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala after he was hesitant to deploy the Royal Nepal Army against Maoists following a devastating attack on Dunai, district headquarters of Dolpa in far west Nepal, in September 2001 even after it became clear that the civilian police could not contain escalating rebel violence.

The APF formed by new recruits and soldiers and civilian police had just been equipped with automatic weapons after receiving training in handling automatic weapons from the Army; the police were then armed with obsolete 303 rifles.

“His death is a cruel blow to the nation. His dedication will be an inspiration to others to work for the protection of the nation and democracy,” Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand said in a condolence statement.

Chand, heads of constitutional bodies, officials and leaders of mainstream political parties paid tribute to Shrestha for his honesty and pleasing personality. He was highly decorated police officer.

Security forces have launched a manhunt for the killers while keeping a close watch of the valley’s exit points, the Home Ministry said.