Near Tinkune, along the Bagmati river, the burnt-out building still bears a blue signboard with white letters reading ‘Police Circle, New Baneshwar’. The building was destroyed when protesters set it on fire during the September 9 arson. Windows and doors are gone, and the lingering smell of smoke is still noticeable to those passing by.

The police office is now operating from the old Citizens’ Investment Trust building. Officers and visitors face extremely cramped conditions. “We are continuing our services despite the building being destroyed. However, the limited space makes it difficult to operate efficiently. Crowd management and proper seating for the public are major challenges,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Hari Khatiwada, chief of the police office.

Khatiwada said that tents have been set up with tables to provide priority services for urgent cases such as rape, robbery, and missing persons. Previously, the post had around ten rooms serving various units, including the case management unit and special units. “Now, only two or three rooms are available, and we are forced to provide services in shifts,” he said.

The office employs 123 officers. Uniforms and personal belongings were destroyed in the fire. Despite sleeping on the floors of cramped rooms, officers continue to work with a strong sense of duty. Repair work has begun with support from residents, and services have partially resumed with CCTV installation.

Inspector Pushparaj Thapa, who was on duty during the incident, said the building’s location below street level made it easy for protesters to throw stones and teargas canisters. “We attempted crowd control and used tear gas, but protesters turned it against us. Thousands were present, and we could not protect the building. Some officers were injured, and weapons were stolen,” he said.

“After protesters fired teargas and pelted stones at us using the weapons they had looted, we tried to escape through the nearby building,” he recalled. “But the protesters forced us to remove our uniforms there and drove us towards the river. We managed to escape with our lives. For the next three days, we couldn’t even contact one another.”

Fifteen officers injured during the incident are still recovering at home, while others returned to duty after treatment. Female officers face particular difficulties due to inadequate changing and washroom facilities. According to Police Head Constable Asha Chaudhary they used to come to office in uniform. But now they come in civil dress and change it at the office. “Proper changing rooms were only set up recently. The challenges are many,” she said.

The post lost four vehicles, motorcycles, and computers in the fire, and important documents were destroyed. On the day of the attack, more than 60 detainees, including a 13-month-old girl’s alleged rapist, escaped.

The New Baneshwar Police Circle covers wards 10, 31, and 32 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City and wards 7, 8, and 9 of Kageshwari Manahara Municipality, including the Kandaghari and Koteshwar stations.

It remains unclear when the office will fully resume operations. Locals have formed a committee to restore the building. Engineers have recommended demolishing and retrofitting the upper floor before officers can return.

Since the arson, detainees are being held at Koteshwar police office and Kathmandu Police Range, as there are no holding cells at Baneshwar.