Kathmandu, Nov 23: The Home Ministry has completed the final stage of procuring vehicles for Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the National Investigation Department to ensure a peaceful, fearless, and free environment during the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections.

The accelerated procurement follows approval from the Finance Ministry to replace essential vehicles destroyed during the Genji movement. All vehicles are expected to be acquired before the elections to prevent shortages in the election security apparatus.

Under the plan, the Finance Ministry has approved Rs 351.1 million for 156 vehicles for Nepal Police from the regular budget, with an additional Rs 453 million allocated for 106 more vehicles, bringing the total to Rs 804.1 million. The vehicles include 75 pickup vans for regular patrol, 28 office vehicles, 41 electric vehicles, one prisoner van, and 10 pickup trucks.

For the Armed Police Force, Rs 28 million has been allocated for 59 vehicles, including three disaster rescue vehicles, 50 Bolero pickup vans, three riot control trucks, and two ambulances. Meanwhile, six four-wheeled vehicles will be purchased for the National Investigation Department with a budget of Rs 28 million.

During the Genji movement, 465 Nepal Police offices were damaged, 571 vehicles destroyed, and multiple APF offices and vehicles were damaged or burned. The National Investigation Department also suffered damages to two buildings, three district offices, 11 four-wheelers, and 30 motorcycles, with an estimated loss of Rs 89 million. The remaining 16 offices are in the final stages of repair and will soon be operational.