Three former Nepal ministers arrested

Three former ministers during King Gyanendra8217;s authoritarian rule have been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to encourage recent violence in southern Nepal in which at least eight people have died, an official said on Tuesday.

Three former ministers during King Gyanendra8217;s authoritarian rule have been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to encourage recent violence in southern Nepal in which at least eight people have died, an official said on Tuesday.

The government has launched a massive crackdown on political opponents blaming them for fuelling and fomenting trouble in country8217;s Terai region. The move appears to be almost a repeat of King Gyanendra8217;s actions two years ago.

According to information available, Home Minister K P Sitaula himself prepared the list of more than 80 people, largely comprising politicians and including a number of ministers during the royal regime. Police swung into action last night itself arresting at least half a dozen people including Badri Manda and Kamal Thapa, who served as deputy and home minister respectively 8211; in the king8217;s cabinet.

Home Ministry official Umesh Mainali confirmed the arrests and said the three former ministers8212;Kamal Thapa, Badri Prasad Mandal, Salim Miya Ansari8212;were being questioned by police. Mainali wouldn8217;t comment on the evidence that led to their arrests on late Monday and early Tuesday.

Sitaula has branded the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum as a force instigated by the Palace. Prime Minister G P Koirala, despite his repeated pledge to hold talks with the forum leader, has not yet done so.

Madheshi Janadhikar Forum, an umbrella organisation of the Terai people, has been spearheading a protest movement for the past 11 days demanding representation in parliament in proportion to the population and 8216;state status8217; to the region comprising 20 districts along the border with India. At least nine persons have been killed so far in the agitation.

A task force comprising the seven ruling parties and Maoists on Tuesday agreed to make a recommendation to the Government to accept forum8217;s demand for statehood under a federal set-up. Koirala is expected to address the nation on this matter soon. There are, however, no indications that Koirala will hold talks with forum leaders, specially after his home minister and the Maoists branded them a palace force.

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At least one more person was killed in Biratnagar, Prime Minister Koirala8217;s home town on Tuesday. Curfew has been declared in the area.