The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed Nepal Police Headquarters to arrest CPN-UML lawmaker Laxmi Mahato Koiri, who is accused of murder.

In a press release on Friday, the Home Ministry said it was seriously concerned as police have not arrested the fugitive lawmaker despite repeated verbal directions from Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.

The Home Ministry has written to Nepal Police Headquarters directing it to arrest Koiri and take the necessary action as per the law immediately, reads the press release signed by Fanindra Mani Pokharel, spokesperson of the Home Ministry.

Despite being on the police’s wanted list, Koiri attended the House meeting on January 10 and voted in favour of a trust motion tabled by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. He had also attended the oath-taking ceremony for new lawmakers.

Koiri, who was elected to the House of Representatives from Mahottari-1, has been accused of murdering Assistant Sub Inspector Thaman Bishwakarma during the Madhesh protest.

Koiri is accused of dragging the policeman from a police van and killing him on September 11, 2015. The Dhanusha District Court had freed Koiri on a bail of Rs 100,000. But the Janakpur High Court had issued an arrest warrant against him after overturning the decision of the district court.

Responding to a question raised by Nepali Congress lawmaker Ram Hari Khatiwada, Home Minister Lamichhane claimed in the parliament meeting on Thursday that the ministry would not do anything going against the rules and procedures.