The Home Ministry Thursday formed a five-member committee to probe into the status of individuals who have gone missing after being arrested by the security forces in different times.

The probe team headed by Narayan Gopal Malego, joint secretary at the Home Ministry comprises a joint secretary of the Ministry of Defense, one deputy inspector general each of the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force and the deputy director of National Investigation Department as members.

The team is asked to conduct a detailed investigation over the cases of disappearances and submit its report in 30 days.

The decision comes in the wake of growing concerns over the declining human rights situation in the country. The National Human Rights Commission had on Wednesday asked the government to be attentive towards the complaints over arbitrary arrests and disappearances of citizens.

The rights watchdog had also sought attention over the demands of the family members and relatives of missing individuals who, with demands of their whereabouts, have launched an indefinite hunger strike at Ratna Park from Monday.