KATHMANDU: Home Minister Bhim Rawal today informed the legislature parliament that Maoist cadre Rajesh Mandal of Bara was assassinated by the Tarai Army of the Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha, yesterday.

He informed the House that the government had already instructed the local administration to bring the murderers to book. A high-level meeting of the government’s security agencies has also been called for tomorrow to review the security situation in Tarai in the wake of the heightened criminal activities in the areas. The minister also said that the open Nepal-India border has let the criminals off the hook.

Minister Rawal also informed that he is visiting India from January 17 to 21 in his bid to curb the growing crime in the border. “I am planning to discuss with senior Indian authorities on the possibility of working together on controlling increasing crime in border areas,” he informed the House.

Earlier, Maoist lawmakers criticised the government for failing to bring the criminals of Bara and Parsa districts to book. They alleged that the government has failed to control the spiralling crime.

Nepali Congress lawmakers alleged the UCPN-M of continuing extortion and intimidation against NC cadres.

Madhesi Janadhikar Forum lawmakers asked the government to clarify the parliament about the objective of the recent High-Level Political Mechanism.