The government will start tightening the security in Terai region from mid-February, according to Minister of State for Home Affairs, Ram Kumar Chaudhary.

Chaudhary said that since the situation could have further flared up had the government tightened the security in one-go in Terai, the authorities are gradually tightening the knot.

“By the time of election, the situation would have returned to normal,” he told reporters in Biratnagar, on Monday.

He added that the government would now isolate criminal elements and those engaged in foiling election and take stringent action against them.

Chaudhary also said that the government was not considering taking action against police officials of Birgunj who have been accused by some Madhesi groups to have killed their cadres in the name of encounter.

“That was the result of security encounter. The government will not do anything to hurt the morale of security personnel,” he said. nepalnews.com sd Feb 05 08