3 ministers of Royal government held

KATHMANDU: In a major action against those behind suppression of Nepal's pro-democracy movement, the G P Koirala government today arrested three ministers of King Gyanendra's regime and suspended top officers of four security agencies.

Former Home Minister Kamal Thapa, former Minister of state for Communication Shrish Shumsher Rana and former Foreign Minister Rameshnath Pandey have been arrested, a source in the cabinet said.

They have been handed over 90 days arrest warrant by the government and were kept at the Nepal Police Training Centre at Maharajgunj, the source said.

They were arrested in connection with excessive use of force while cracking down on pro-democracy protesters and misuse of the government funds to suppress the popular uprising last month.

The government suspended Royal Nepalese Army Chief Pyarjung Thapa, Armed Police Force Chief Sahabir Thapa, Nepal Police Chief Shyam Bhakta Thapa and National Investigation Department (government intelligence) Deviram Sharma, at the recommendation of the high level probe commission, said Harihar Birahi, one of the members of the commission that is investigating the excesses during the agitation.

They have been suspended for abuse of human rights and excessive use of force during the 19 day long agitation against the King's direct rule, he said.

The commission has already started investigation into the matter and the officials have been suspended as they can destroy the evidence if they remain in their posts, he added.