The government has instructed security agencies to step up security measures, with thick presence of personnel, on highways to ensure smooth mobility of vehicles even during the day.

Due to ongoing protests in the Tarai, vehicles plying the highways in the Tarai have been moving only during the night.

The government instruction followed a security meeting on Sunday.

In the nine districts that have been deemed ‘highly sensitive’ by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), very few vehicles ply the route in the daytime. Security personnel escort the vehicles in the night. But despite the presence of security personnel, cases of vandalism have been reported. MoHA spokesperson Laxmi Dhakal said all the security agencies have been directed to provide assistance to their subordinate bodies to keep the lifeline moving round the clock.

A revised integrated security plan of the government had decided to adopt zero-tolerance policy on highway obstruction. To this end, local administrations have begun deploying riot police from Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force. Plainclothes cops and officials from the National Investigation Department too have been deployed along the East-West Highway.

In view of intensified protests, which have turned violent of late, in the Tarai, the MoHA has classified nine districts-Sunsari, Siraha, Saptari in the eastern region and Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara and Parsa in the central region-as ‘highly sensitive’ areas.