King Birendra is no more
Crown Prince declared King, Prince Gyanendra appointed Regent

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KATHMANDU, June 2 – Crown Prince Dipendra was declared the new monarch of Nepal following untimely demise of his father, His Late Majesty King Birendra. The decision was taken today at a meeting of the Raj Parishad (State Council) which is charged with overseeing the succession to the throne.

Similarly, the Raj Parishad also appointed Prince Gyanendra as the Regent of the Kingdom of Nepal. An announcement over Radio Nepal said that since the new monarch King Dipendra was in critical condition and unable to discharge his duties, the Regent would exercise the powers vested in the monarchy.

The announcement brings to an end hours of uncertainty which began at about 9 pm Friday night as news of an unfortunate shooting incident inside the Royal Palace began seeping out. In the absence of any formal announcement by the government as to what actually happened in the Royal Palace Friday night, the entire nation has been speculating as to the causes of the unfortunate incident.

According to various sources close to the Palace, the Crown Prince wielded an automatic weapon and fired at his family members who had all gathered for a weekend dinner.

The Raj Parishad Chairman Keshar Jung Rayamajhi said today that King Birendra died at 9:15 pm last night, succumbing to his injuries. Queen Aishwarya, Prince Nirajan, Princess Shruti, Princesses Sharada, Shanti and Jayanti as well as Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah, who were also hit, all succumbed to their injuries. Deceased King Birendra’s youngest brother Dhirendra and son-in-law Gorakh Shumsher however have survived the shoot-out and are undergoing intensive medical treatment at the Birendra Army Hospital in Chhauni.

Just hours after the Raj Parishad decision, the Late King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, Prince Nirajan, Princess Shruti and Princess Jayanti were accorded a state funeral that wound slowly through the streets of the capital.

The funeral procession of the Royal dignitaries started at 6 p.m. after the Prime Minister and other ministers, heads of constitutional bodies and high government officials and people paid homage to late King Birendra and other departed members of the Royal Family.

Thousands of mournful citizens lined the streets to take a last glimpse of their beloved King and Royal Family members.

Meanwhile, as is customary in such circumstances, the government has declared a state mourning for 13 days. The flag will be flown at half-mast throughout the 13 days, and all state machinery will shut down completely for five days. And, in accordance with Hindu customs, it has also ordered high-ranking civil service officials to shave their head and refrain from taking salt for three days as a mark of respect to the departed souls.

Though the reason for the shooting inside the Palace will never be known until the government or Palace officials make a formal announcement, speculation has been rife that the Crown Prince began shooting at his family for refusing to sanction his marriage to the woman he loved.

As a result, the nation woke up today with a sense of uncertainty, and profound loss. The streets of Kathmandu were deserted, shops were closed, and thousands of curious faces milled about in crowds around the military hospital at Chhauni, the ancient Hanumandhoka Royal Palace and the offices of the Raj Parishad Standing Committee.

Sources say, the Crown Prince then shot himself but was immediately rushed to the military hospital at Chhauni where doctors have tried valiantly to save his life. Various officials keeping a close watch on him over there say that new King Dipendra is unconscious and is surviving with the aid of ventilator. His condition is very critical, they say.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and his entire Cabinet also rushed to the military hospital at Chhauni as soon as the information reached them. An emergency Cabinet meeting was held at the hospital premises early this morning.

Until the King regains consciousness and is able to rule by himself, the royal powers of the monarch will be exercised by Prince Gyanendra, the newly declared Regent of the Kingdom of Nepal.

The Raj Parishad arrived at the decision after lengthy deliberations among its numerous members. According to the rules of succession, it is the Raj Parishad that decides the succession issue.

As soon as official news of the succession was made public over Radio Nepal, a spontaneous demonstration by a few hundred people took place just outside the Raj Parishad offices at Kantipath.

The protestors chanted slogans decrying the killing of the late King Birendra, and demanded action against the perpetrator(s) of the crime. Some of the demonstrators also shouted slogans against Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. Eyewitnesses said that police had to resort to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd of protestors, numbering about 500.

Nearby, just outside the main gate of the Royal Palace, an old woman wailed loudly at the untimely demise of King Birendra, a much beloved monarch. The woman, Laxmi Shah of Bhaktapur she had come to find out what had happened to "my father and mother", referring to the late King and the late Queen.

At the old Hanumandhoka Royal Palace, 66 year-old Ram Lal Pariyar, sobbing, said: "I feel like crying. We will never get a king as beloved as King Birendra."

Their Majesties’ last rites performed

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KATHMANDU, June 2 - The nation bid adieu to one of its most beloved monarchs in history Late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah with tears, as Shaheeb Deepak Bikram Shah lit the funeral pyre at Aryaghat on the banks of the holy Bagmati river beside the temple of Lord Pashupatinath at 9: 50 pm Saturday evening. A 56-gun salute was fired into the air signifying 56 years of the late monarch.

The funeral took place today as the Hindu religion rites and rituals do not allow the keeping of the body in state for more than 24 hours. Foreign Ministry officials said that there was nothing untoward with state funeral taken place today unlike in most other countries where foreign dignitaries are awaited for them to pay the last homage.

Earlier in an spontaneous outburst of grief, thousands of Nepalis followed the state funeral procession of the King and Queen shouting pro monarchy slogans as hundreds of thousands more shell shocked mourners lined the streets of Kathmandu with flowers and incense sticks in their hands.

The bodies of three other members of the Royal Family late Prince Nirajan Bir Bikram Shah, Princess Shruti Rajya Laxmi Rana and Princess Jayanti Shah were also carried to the Aryaghat along the procession.

Eight members of the Royal Family including the King, Queen, Prince Nirajan, Princess Shruti, Princess Shanti Singh, Princess Sharada Shah, Prince Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah and Princess Jayanti Shah were killed in the same unfortunate incident last night, where according to various sources close to the Palace Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah opened fire during a dinner gathering at the Royal Palace.

The procession that began from the Birendra Military Hospital at Chhauni where the bodies had been taken a day before after the shootout reached Aryaghat (holiest Hindu shrine in the Kingdom), via Swoyambhu, Bhagwan Pau, Shova Bhagwati, Chettrapati, Juddodaya Madhyamik Vidhyalaya, Thamel, South Gate of the Royal Palace, Jai Nepal Cinema hall, Krishna Pauroti, Kamal Pokhari, Ratopul and Gaushala.

The procession led by a mounted guard of honour with police band following them playing a somber music had the King’s body covered with saffron cloth to the neck, carried by pallbearers with another piece of cloth wrapped around his head. Behind the body of the King was the Queen’s body carried in a covered palanquin. The bodies of their youngest son Nirajan, daughter Shruti and cousin Jayanti Shah followed.

"Raja Birendra amar rahun"(Long Live King Birendra ), "Hamro Raja hamro desh pran bhanda pyaro chha" (Our country and King are dearer than our lives) were the most shouted slogans during the procession.

" I still cannot believe that this has happened, I am still in a state of shock," said Flying Captain (ret) Ananta Rana speaking to a foreign media in front of the Royal Palace while awaiting the procession.

Another grieved person demanded that a separate committee be formed to bring out the "real truth" about the incident. "I can’t believe that our Crown Prince could do such a thing, proper investigation has to be done in this matter," he said.

State mourning for 5 days

KATHMANDU, June 2 (RSS) - His Majesty’s Government has decided to observe state mourning for five days following the demise of His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev at 9:15 pm on June 1 throughout the Kingdom, and at the Royal Nepalese Embassies and Diplomatic Missions abroad, according to a notice published by the Home Ministry today.

All the Nepalese in accordance with their religious tradition are to observe aashauchi for three days, men employees will have to shave their heads, other citizens will condole the death with respect and as per rituals and national flags will be flown at half-mast for 13 days, it is stated.

The Home Ministry, in another notice, has urged the people not to conduct any entertaining programs including wedding and thread-wearing ceremonies during the 13 days meant for performing rituals for the departed soul and if such auspicious ceremonies are to be performed at all, such functions should be performed without musical bands.

Shocking end to an era

Even as a new monarch and regent has been named, the profound tragedy that has struck this nation has saddened every Nepali. The unprecedented shootout at the Royal Palace Friday night has naturally left the people shocked and dazed. The whole nation is bereft of one the people knew had nothing but their welfare in his heart. The late King Birendra was truly a people’s monarch who devoted his whole life for the wellbeing of his citizen. This was exemplified way back in 1972 when he ascended the throne. His efforts at reforming the social system and the role of the Royal Family members in business ventures will not go unnoticed. Even though he did not take the matter to its logical conclusion, perhaps because of the vested interests, he did win over a sizeable section of the intelligentsia to his side. His deep concern for the welfare of the people, deprived from the benefits of the development activities clearly reflects his commitment to the nation. His step to set up the five development regions designed to improve specifically the lives of the people of west Nepal, was a major development initiative. King Birendra had visualised the balanced development in all the regions.

King Birendra’s political reforms are also noteworthy. Despite apparent opposition from the hard-liners, he introduced direct elections to the National Assembly for the first time during the Panchayat system. Though political labelling was still banned, many with political labels contested and won the elections. After the 1990 peoples movement that barely lasted two months, King Birendra conceded, many thought rather easily but almost everyone thought wisely, the demand of the people for western style liberal pluralistic democracy. The new democratic Constitution of Nepal was promulgated in November 1990. And today, almost everyone including the political leaders, say that the only person to abide by the Constitution was King Birendra. We have, in short, lost a visionary Monarch who ably guided this nation through thick and thin. It will no doubt be difficult to replace such a leader who had won the people’s heart and symbolised Nepal’s move toward a modern era.

But continuity in the affairs of the state is a must. The State Council has named Crown Prince Dipendra as King and has also named Prince Gyanendra as the Regent. Prince Gyanendra is known to be an able and firm administrator, a quality that will be needed in days and years ahead. Though the Monarch and Regent in a constitutional democracy has minimal executive powers, a wise Regent can bring a lot of influence to bear on the executive wing of the government for the people’s welfare. The newly installed Regent has also shown his mettle of sorts as the Chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation. Saddened as we all are by the tragic Friday night event and fully aware that the loss we suffered is irreplaceable, we will do the memory of the slain leader some justice if the new configuration in Nepali horizon do not stumble on its path to strengthen democracy and constitutional monarchy.

Foreign leaders extend condolence

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KATHMANDU, June 2 - Condolence messages have started pouring in from various foreign dignitaries over the "unfortunate and untimely" death of His Late Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and several other members of the Royal Family last night.

The Government of India has announced State Mourning for three days following a meeting of its Union Cabinet this evening. The meeting also observed a two minutes silence as a mark of respect and condolence, says an Indian Embassy press release issued here today.

"...We pray that the mourning nation and its citizens be bestowed the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss. India stands by them in this hour of national grief," the release states.

Pakistani Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, in his condolence message states: "...The late King was a popular monarch who made a singular contribution to the democratic evolution of Nepal and will hold a very special place in the history of his country."

Likewise, US President George W. Bush has also extended his "deepest sympathies" to the Late King’s extended family and the Nepalese people.

Similarly, former Indian Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral has issued a condolence statement over the "tragic assassination." "This is a testing moment for the Government and people of Nepal. I am sure their traditional restraint and unity will prevail to carry the nation through this distressing predicament," he states.

Meanwhile, Associated Press (AP) adds that the office of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan released a statement expressing sadness over the incident.

"The Secretary-General is profoundly shocked by the reported killing on Friday evening of King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya as well as other members of the Royal Family," the statement said.

"He is deeply saddened by the tragedy. The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to the people of Nepal and calls for calm and stability."

AP also adds that Pope John Paul II sent a condolence telegram to His Royal Highness Regent Prince Gyanendra, saying that he has assured "Your Royal Highness and the government and people of Nepal" of his prayers for the deceased.

FromAustralia, Governor- General William Deane, Britain’s Royal Representative in Sydney, expressed the nation’s sympathy, AP adds.

AFP, the French news agency, states that Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and her son Prince Charles said Saturday they were "deeply shocked and saddened" by the incident.

According to AFP, British Prime Minister Tony Blair also expressed his sympathy for the Nepali people for their "deepest tragedy", stressing Britain’s long-standing links with the country, notably via the elite Nepali Gurkha regiment, which has long taken part in operations with the British armed forces.

Sri Lanka, Singapore and Thailand also expressed their sorrow over the deaths of King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and other members of the Royal Family, AFP adds.

AFP also adds that France on Saturday expressed its "dismay" at the death of Their Majesties the King and Queen and sent its condolences to the Nepali people.

A nation stunned

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KATHMANDU, June 2 – The common people remained totally shocked and confused over the tragic demise of their beloved King and the Royal Family, and many of them said that they simply couldn’t believe the incident.

Shocked and dazed, thousands of people gathered at various major centres of the Capital and waited till the end of the funereal procession. Almost all the shopping centres including the retail outlets remained closed as the shocking news of the tragedy spread anything like fire in the Capital. Traffic was low and roads remained almost empty only to be crowed by people.

Gripped by confusion over what would happen next, households could be seen rushing to find opened shops and to buy necessary commodities. And there were queues of people gathered to buy such essential commodities like kerosene, cooking gas, sugar among others.

Sharad Aryal, 37, an employer of a private office, who hails from Biratnagar and currently stays at New Baneshwor, said that there could be no other tragedy greater than this. "I had never imagined that a tragedy of such magnitude could occur. I could have borne the pain of my parents death, but cannot bear this one", he lamented.

The common people are so overpowered by the grief that some were seen even crying in front of the Royal Palace and the Chhauni-based Army Hospital. The King, as the constitutional monarch commanded tremendous respect and love of the people.

Durga Devi Timilsina, 51, a resident of Lamosanghu of Dolakha district working in a furniture factory at New Baneshwor, who walked all the way to the Royal Palace, was crying in front of the Palace. She went to the Royal Palace after she ascertained that the tragedy indeed had struck from an assistant sub inspector early in the morning.

"I will also go with the Monarch, Crown Prince and other Royal Family members if they have really left the earth", she said as she cried and sobbed. Seeing her condition security force told her that even they did not know exact information regarding the killing. In reply to a question, she said she had gone there to see the face of the Royals.

Netra Bikram Thapa, 32, president of the Authorized Trade Union of Hotel Yak and Yeti, said this is the greatest misfortune for the Nepalis. The pain is unbearable but the public must keep patience. The entire nation is grief-stricken and people are watching the government what type of role could they play in the days ahead. "We have strong faith in the monarchy and the constitutional monarchy should continue", he asserted.

Tika Bahadur Khadka, a daily wage earner from Ghyang Village Development Committee ward No 6, said he could not believe his ears. "I still think that it has not happened. How can such a tragedy take place?" he questioned. "We don’t know much about politics but I think the next King is being chosen according to the rule", he adds.

Kaji Sunuwar, a 12-year-old ice cream vendor from Udayapur district, said, "Upon hearing the news I broke into fits." It is the most unpleasant incident I have ever heard. I came to know about the tragedy from my Sahuji, dealer in ice cream, he added.

Royal Family: A profile
His Majesty King Dipendra

Born on 27 June 1971 to His Late Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Late Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah. His Majesty King Dipendra acquired his early education from Budhanilkantha Boarding Secondary School and higher studies (GCSE/"O" and "A" Level) from Eton College, Windsor, UK, (1987-1990), BA from Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu Nepal (1991-1992), MA in Geography (Distinction), TU, Kathmandu (1992-1994). He is currently preparing to submit Doctoral Thesis in the Department of Population, Tribhuvan University.

His Majesty the King has received the Private Pilot License for AS 332L/L1 Super Puma, Department of Civil Aviation, HMG/N, 1993.

His Majesty King Dipendra was declared Heir Apparent to the Throne of the Kingdom of Nepal in 1972 and was conferred the title of Grand Master of All Orders of Kingdom of Nepal in 1990. His Majesty King Dipendra was commissioned as Colonel-in–Chief of the Royal Nepal Army in 1990 and the patron of National Sports Council, Royal Nepal Golf Club and Nepal Olympics Committee.

His Majesty King Dipendra represented His Late Majesty King Birendra at the coronation of His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan in 1990. He also represented His Late Majesty King Birendra at the funeral of the father of His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain in 1993, at the funeral of the Belgian King in 1993 and at the wedding of His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho.

His Late Majesty King Birendra

Born on 28 December,1945 to His Late Majesty King Birendra was the first son of His late Majesty King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Late Crown Princess Indra Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah. His Late Majesty King Birendra ruled the Kingdom of Nepal as an autocratic monarch for 19 years .

His Late Majesty acquired his early education at St. Joshep’s School, Darjeeling and higher education at Eton College, England, (1959-1964), University of Tokyo (Japan) and Harvard University (USA), (1967-1968).

His Late Majesty King Birendra was married to Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and was declared Heir-Apparent to the throne of Kingdom of Nepal, in 1970. At the ‘Coming-of-Age’ Ceremony he was conferred the title of Grand Master of all orders of the Kingdom of Nepal and Colonel-in-Chief of Royal Nepalese Army in 1964. His Majesty the King ascended the throne in 1972.

King Birendra, was the patron of Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, King Mahendra Trust and Pashupati Area Development Trust. His Majesty was also the Chancellor of Tribhuvan University and Mahendra Sanskrit University.

His Majesty the King had announced the referendum and asked whether the people wanted the multi-party system or the party-less Panchayati system. King Birendra announced Nepal as a democratic country in 1990 after a popular movement.

Her Late Majesty Queen Aishwarya

Daughter of Late Lieutenant General Kendra Shumsher Rana and Shree Rajya Laxmi Rana, Late Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah was born in November 1949 in the Capital. Her Late Majesty acquired early education at St. Helen’s Convent, Kurseong, (India) and St. Mary’s High School, Kathmandu. Queen Aishwarya acquired higher education from Tribhuvan University in 1967.

Her Late Majesty the Queen was married to His Majesty King Birendra Bikram Shah Dev in 1970. Queen Aishwarya was a patron of International Women’s Year Committee in 1975, Chairperson of Social Service National Coordination Council, (1977-1989) and was the Chief Patron of Nepal Red Cross Society. Her Majesty the Queen used to enjoy reading literature, gardening and music as hobbies.

Her Majesty the Queen has written several poems and lyrics under the penname Chandani Shah. Queen Aishwarya used to accompany His Majesty the King on most of His Majesty’s visit abroad.

His Late Royal Highness Prince Nirajan

Younger Son of Their Late Majesties King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya, Prince Nirajan was born on 6 Nov, 1978 at Narayanhiti Royal Palace. His Late Royal Highness Prince Nirajan acquired his early education from Kanti Ishwori Shishu Vidhyalaya and got admitted to Budhanilkantha Boarding Secondary School in 1987. Prince Nirajan was pursuing his higher education at Kathmandu College of Management (Bachelor in Business Studies).

Her Late Royal Highness Princess Shruti

Born on 16 Oct, 1976, Narayanhiti Royal Palace Her Royal Highness Princess Shruti Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah was a daughter of Their Late Majesties King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah. Princess Shruti was married to Gorakh Shumsher JBR in 1998. Her Royal Highness acquired her early education from St. Mary’s High School and was pursuing her BA level studies in Kathmandu. Princess Shrurti got decorated with Suprasiddha Prabal Gorkha Dakshina Bahu I on Dec 29, 1995.

Sources: 1.Nepal Who’s Who, RECORD - 1997

2.Who, Nepal - NDI 2000

‘High time for political consensus to uphold polity’

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KATHMANDU, June 2 - Never before in the modern history had Nepal faced such a critical situation like at present, analysts here say, pointing at Friday night’s massacre in the Royal Palace that left King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and several other members of the royal family dead.

They say the "shocking and sudden" incident totally overshadowed the severity of the infamous Kot Massacre of 1846 that was masterminded and launched by late Prime Minister Junga Bahadur Rana.

And "so critical has the situation become that even Nepal’s existence could come under threat, if an appropriate and wise decision is not taken on time by the government," said a political analyst cum foreign policy expert, preferring to remain unnamed.

So, what is the beleaguered government of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala should do? And what are the opposition parties that have been holding protest programs both inside and outside Parliament to do? Isn’t it high time all the warring political forces reach a consensus for the cause of multi-party democracy and the nation confronted with such burning problems as the flourishing Maoist insurgency, backwardness, poverty and so on?

In the immediate aftermath of what they describe as a "national tragedy", the visibly bereaved and shocked political analysts and experts here suggest that it’s high time the nation’s political forces reached an understanding and join hands to protect and uphold the multi-party polity and the "national interests".

"It’s time they keep aside all the secondary issues like the controversy surrounding the Lauda Air deal and reach an understanding to demonstrate that they are indeed committed to multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy," said political analyst Professor Dr Lok Raj Baral. "It’s time to work towards protecting the 11-year-old democratic order. And it’s not time to give divisive and vague opinions."

But is that really possible? Yes, said Ramesh Nath Pandey, an Upper House MP nominated by late King Birendra. He suggested that a national government be formed to resolve the challenges facing the nation. "We are hounded with problems from all quarters," Pandey said. "So it’s time all the political forces join hands and work for the cause of safeguarding the democratic system and national interest."

Much like other analysts, Pandey predicted that the role of the future monarch would be more challenging than one could imagine.

Constitutional expert and senior advocate Ganesh Raj Sharma said on the role of the future King, "Nepali people have had a deep faith, respect and honour on King Birendra and his commitment to multi-party democracy. And the future King should live up to the people’s expectations and follow the path shown by late King Birendra."

Senior Politician Shree Bhadra Sharma added, "The road ahead for our future King is definitely challenging. And to overcome these challenges he should uphold democratic values sown into the Nepali soil by late King Birendra, and work in close coordination with the Cabinet. He should do so in such a way as to address Nepal’s worsening challenges like the economic poverty, law and order situation which has much to do with the Maoist problem."

PM’s car stoned

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KATHMANDU, Jan 2 - A group of desperate people hurled stones at the Prime Minister’s vehicle right at the Swoyambhu gate today at 5.45 , at the beginning of the royal funeral.

The car had its windscreen and other glasses broken and was dented from both sides. The security guard was seen all alert with the revolver in his hand. Several groups of people were shouting slogans against the Prime Minister and wishing Their Late Majesties’ peaceful rest all along the funeral.

The group attacked the same vehicle again at Shova Bhagwati. Police had to lathi charge at the group and the driver of the Prime Minister vehicle took it away from the funeral, eye witnesses said.