Thursday, January 19 2006 16:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Taking a strong view of arrest of political leaders and curbs on civil activists in Nepal, India today (Jan 19, 2006) said the events were 'regrettable' and of 'grave concern' to all those wishing to see Constitutional forces in the Himalayan Kingdom work together to achieve peace and stability there.

"These actions of His Majesty's Government of Nepal are regrettable and a matter of grave concern to all those who wish to see the constitutional forces in Nepal working together to achieve peace and stability in the country," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said in response to a question on developments in Nepal.

He said, "We are receiving reports from Nepal about the arrest of leaders of political parties as well as human rights and civil society activists."

"New Delhi was also aware of the latest measures announced by the Nepalese Government curbing political activity in Kathmandu and other cities," he said.

India's envoy to Kathmandu Shiv Shanker Mukherjee, who is here for consultations, has briefed Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran about the latest developments in the Himalayan Kingdom.

He has apprised them of the rapidly changing situation in Nepal since the Maoist rebels withdrew their ceasefire on January two.

Violence has increased in Nepal since the ceasefire withdrawal by the rebels, who argued that they would not continue it as the Royal Government was not reciprocating the gesture.

King Gyanendra's Government has imposed curfew in many parts and banned rallies, saying that it feared the rebels could infiltrate these.

New Delhi feels that the Monarch is using the withdrawal of the ceasefire as an excuse to impose restrictions in the country.