The government has prioritised the procurement of non-lethal crowd control equipment following widespread criticism over the deaths of four people in recent security firings during communal tensions in the Tarai-Madhesh region.

Alongside equipment purchase, the Ministry of Home Affairs has initiated preparations to amend relevant security legislation and introduce advanced technologies, including drones capable of firing tear gas and broadcasting public announcements.

Speaking to Kantipur, Home Minister Sudan Gurung said a lack of funds had delayed non-lethal equipment purchases. However, with the new budget cycle now active, formal procurement procedures are underway.

“Operating under the old budget limited our ability to make new purchases,” said Gurung. “Now, as the procurement process starts, we aim for all types of non-lethal weapons necessary for effective crowd management.”

Gurung explained that the new strategy centres on using drones for surveillance, public announcements, and tear gas deployment. “Drones will enhance crowd management through real-time monitoring from a central command and by strengthening physical barricades,” said Gurung. “Our primary focus is on protecting vital infrastructure without causing human casualties.”

The push for crowd control infrastructure upgrades hinges on past security failures. During the Gen Z demonstrations on September 8 last year, protesters easily breached police barricades outside the parliament building in New Baneshwar. The lapse led security personnel to open fire indiscriminately.

Security officials cited the Essential Goods Protection Act, which authorises the Special Task Force to use lethal force if crucial infrastructure faces imminent threat.

To prevent similar escalations, the home ministry is preparing comprehensive amendments to both the Essential Goods Protection Act 1955 and the Local Administration Act 1971.

“We are drafting amendments after extensive consultations,” said Gurung. “Rather than making piecemeal changes repeatedly, we intend to introduce clear, durable legal revisions after thorough discussion.”

The minister noted that many security personnel still operate under an outdated mindset that defaults to live ammunition when tension escalates. “We want to transform that mindset and establish an administrative system that prioritises non-lethal alternatives,’ he said.

The need for legal and logistical reform was previously highlighted by the judicial commission led by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, which investigated the violence during the Gen Z protests last year. The Karki Commission recommended amending the Local Administration Act 1971 to clearly define parameters governing when security forces may open fire during curfews.

The commission's report also underscored a chronic shortage of basic non-lethal protective equipment, including body armour, shields, and tear gas.

Past procurement attempts often stalled due to controversy and procedural cancellations. Former inspector general of police Deepak Thapa recalled that a proposal to acquire Rs760 million worth of non-lethal riot control equipment—including tear gas, shotguns, rubber bullets, and riot gear—was cancelled at the last moment.

“The Ministry of Finance had assured the required funding, and the tender process was well advanced,” said Thapa. “However, disputes arose, forcing us to cancel the deal even after opening the letter of credit.”

Data from the Police Headquarters, Naxal shows that Nepal Police has not purchased significant quantities of tear gas since the 2020-21 fiscal year. Police bought 4,000 tear gas canisters annually in 2019-20 and 2020-21, following purchases of 6,000 canisters in 2018-19 and 10,000 canisters in 2017-18.

The prolonged procurement freeze forced officers to rely on expired tear gas during major demonstrations, drawing sharp public criticism.

Minister Gurung, however, claimed that expired tear gas had not been deployed under his leadership.

“Our first priority is de-escalating tension through dialogue,” said Gurung. “Even when force becomes unavoidable, using expired tear gas is strictly prohibited, and security forces are not using it.”

Senior police officials argue that reliance on live ammunition often stems from a lack of alternatives and insufficient training.

“If security personnel had adequate non-lethal weapons, they would not resort directly to live bullets,” said a deputy inspector general, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Regular practical training is equally lacking. When officers receive only five or six rounds of practice during training, asking them to shoot below the knee in a live conflict rarely yields precise results. The state must prioritise continuous training and avoid cancelling equipment tenders whenever controversy arises.”

To avoid commercial disputes, former IG Thapa suggested procuring equipment through government-to-government (G2G) agreements. “Unhealthy competition among private contractors and commission bargaining are the main drivers of tender disputes,” said Thapa. “The G2G procurement would eliminate those issues entirely.”

In addition to riot control, the home ministry is focusing on digital security and internal administrative tracking.

“We are currently unprepared for digital threats or cyberattacks targeting government infrastructure,” said Gurung. “We are digitising our internal systems so that every directive issued to staff can be tracked in real time from my desk to verify implementation.”

Former deputy inspector general Bhim Prasad Dhakal welcomed the focus on non-lethal technology, recommending digital upgrades along border corridors. “Installing AI-enabled gates, CCTV cameras, and X-ray scanners at border crossings will help police monitor illegal activities and improve overall crime prevention,” said Dhakal.