Biratnagar, April 15:

The intensifying democratic movement of the political parties has put the fear of God into government-nominated members of local bodies and the sub-metropolis, sending these officials underground since the past few days.

Eastern regional administrator Jagdish Khadka, Morang District Development Committee (DDC) chairman Ballav Prasad Dahal, vice- chairman Shailendra Bahadur Basnet and mayor Prahlad Prasad Shah are among those gone underground. They are being kept under tight security, said district-based security sources.

According to the sources, regional administrator Khadka is being kept in the guesthouse of Nepal Rastra Bank under the security of Royal Nepalese Army while Mayor Shah is holed up in his own residence at Biratnagar-11 under tight security. Since April 6 Shah has not attended office, said a worker of the sub-metropolis office.

DDC chairman and vice chairman are being kept in a tight security shell. They are staying in the quarters of the office. They return to their quarters after marking their daily attendances, said workers of the DDC. Security has also been managed for them.

Ward chairmen, including Surendra Dube of ward number 8 are being kept in the guesthouse of the sub-metropolis in security shells. Arrangement has been made for the security of eastern regional-based members of different municipalities.