Saturday, May 13 2006 13:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Nepal's new Government today (May 13, 2006) said it has launched a crackdown on alleged anti-democracy conspirators, arresting several ministers from the King's ousted regime and suspending police and intelligence chiefs.

The arrests of five ministers who served under King Gyanendra were announced on state radio yesterday, and come as the new government has raised the spectre of royalist elements trying to thwart the gains made after weeks of last month's fierce nationwide protests that forced the King to relinquish direct rule.

"We are keeping a close watch on the people who are conspiring against (the) democracy system and the recent changes," said Home Minister Krishna Sitaula.

"We will go after these people and not spare them. He did not give further details on what action would be taken," he said.

The promise of tough government action came alongside progress toward tackling Nepal's decade-long communist insurgency and the difficult task of nation-building in a way that suits both the political parties running the new government, and the rebels who have joined them after years of opposition.

Elusive rebel leader Prachanda, who goes by one name, announced yesterday that he will personally join the peace process just hours after Deputy Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli promised Prachanda security and said negotiations would be ineffective without him.

Oli also said he believed Nepal would have a constituent assembly within 12 months and a new Constitution by November 2007.