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🇳🇵 Nepal /Crime & Justice

Koshi Province Faces Evolving Crime Challenges Beyond Street Offenses

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Crime in Nepal's Koshi province is evolving beyond traditional offenses, with increases in drug trafficking, cybercrime, and social media-related unrest.
  • While the total number of criminal cases has seen a modest rise, the changing nature of crime presents a greater challenge to provincial police.
  • Significant increases in seized marijuana, heroin, and psychotropic medicines, alongside growing cybercrime incidents, highlight the evolving security landscape.

Koshi province in Nepal is grappling with a significant shift in its crime landscape, as traditional offenses like murder and theft are increasingly overshadowed by drug trafficking, cross-border smuggling, cybercrime, and social media-fueled unrest. Senior Superintendent of Police Yogendra Singh Thapa, spokesperson for the Koshi Province Police Office, noted that the changing nature of crime, rather than just the overall case numbers, poses a greater challenge.

Data from the past three fiscal years reveal a steady increase in registered criminal cases, reaching 9,863 in 2025-26, a nearly five percent rise over the period. However, the focus is shifting towards the evolving methods of criminal activity. Substance abuse remains a prominent issue, with cases fluctuating but remaining high. Police seizures of marijuana have more than doubled over the past two years, exceeding 27.7 tonnes in the last fiscal year. Similarly, seizures of brown heroin and psychotropic tablets have surged dramatically, from approximately 78,000 tablets three years ago to over 744,000 last fiscal year.

The rise in substance abuse, financial crimes, and cybercrime shows how the nature of crime in Koshi is changing.

— Yogendra Singh ThapaSenior Superintendent of Police and spokesperson for the Koshi Province Police Office, Biratnagar, describing the evolving crime challenges.

The province also faces persistent challenges with illegal trade and smuggling due to its open border with India, generating significant revenue through customs evasion actions. Cybercrime, while lower in volume, is also on the rise, with 40 cases recorded last fiscal year. Beyond registered cases, police are concerned about the use of social media to spread misinformation, mobilize crowds, and inflame tensions, adding another layer to the security challenges.

Deputy Inspector General Shekhar Khanal acknowledged that substance abuse control is a major challenge. The force also faces a shortage of personnel, further complicating its efforts to address the multifaceted and evolving nature of crime in the province. The increasing complexity of criminal activities demands adaptive strategies and enhanced resources to maintain public safety.

Substance abuse control is a major challenge for us.

— Shekhar KhanalDeputy Inspector General and chief of Koshi Province Police Office, Biratnagar, highlighting a key area of concern.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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