Kathmandu, Oct.16: Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Paudel Monday laid a wreath at a monument to honour 133 policemen killed this year by Maoists in a bloody insurgency to establish a communist state in the Himalayan kingdom.

Paudel is also Home Minister. Crown Prince Dipendra and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala were also present at a function to mark Police Day.

Paudel said police had ” new responsibilities” to protect nationalism, monarchy and the safety of the people in an obvious reference to the Maoist insurgency that has claimed more than 1450 lives in nearly five years.

The army has been inducted to help the police in curbing her Maoist rebellion.