King Dipendra in ‘very critical’ condition
Regent says shooting an accident

Post Report

KATHMANDU, June 3 – Two days after the Royal Palace massacre that extinguished the lives of beloved King Birendra and seven of his family members, all eyes were trained at the Birendra Army Hospital at Chhauni where new monarch, His Majesty King Dipendra, has been lying in an unconscious state.

After a two-day long wait, the nation finally got to hear what it should have heard officially long time ago - the health condition of their new King .

The Royal Palace Press Secretariat, citing doctors’ reports, told The Kathmandu Post that King Dipendra’s condition "is still very critical." It added that King Dipendra’s "pulse beat and blood pressure are still unstable," providing the first real glimpse of the condition of the new monarch. The same message had been broadcast earlier on the state-run electronic media.

The monarch has been lying unconscious at the hospital since Friday night when he was injured in a shooting incident inside the Royal Palace. The same incident also claimed the life of beloved late King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, Prince Nirajan, Princess Shruti and four other family members. Several other Royal Family members were also injured in the shooting, some seriously.

Aside from the brief health bulletin, nothing more could be known about the health status of the new King. But all eyes are still trained on him, with everyone – from general public to political parties - wishing the monarch a speedy recovery.

In the evening today, His Royal Highness Prince Gyanendra, the newly-appointed Regent, Queen Mother Ratna Rajya Laxmi, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Raj Parishad (State Council) Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, Chief of Army Staff Prajwalla Shumsher JB Rana and Inspector General of Police Pradip Shumsher JB Rana went to the hospital where King Dipendra is undergoing treatment.

Meanwhile, Regent Prince Gyanendra, in his message to the countrymen this morning, said the dreadful and unanticipated incident that occurred during a happy family gathering Friday night has deeply shocked and grieved all the Nepalese people. The message was an attempt to quell various rumours doing the rounds inside and outside Nepal in the absence of any official information.

Regent Prince Gyanendra added, "According to a report of the incident received by us an automatic weapon went off suddenly, seriously injuring His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and His Royal Highness Prince Nirajan Bir Bikram Shah and other Royal Family members and relatives."

The Regent also said, "In spite of desperate efforts on the part of the physicians, His Majesty the King (Birendra) parted from us forever on Friday." He further said, "As His Majesty King Dipendra is in a physically incapacitated condition requiring intensive care and unable to assume his duties in his capacity as the King of the Kingdom of Nepal, the responsibility of Regent of the Kingdom of Nepal has fallen on our shoulders." He also wished a speedy recovery for King Dipendra.

The day after the funeral of late King Birendra and his family members, there were spontaneous demonstrations at different places in the Capital. People displayed the portraits of the late King and the Queen and some of the famous quotations of King Birendra like "Even if I die, my country should remain intact". Some youth on motorcycles went around the city, shouting slogans like "Hang the murderer "All Nepalis unite," "Our King, our country," and also against Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

This is an indication of the palpable sentiment of initial shock and grief turning into anger in the absence of any concrete information as to what precisely happened that fateful Friday night, observers say.

As the nation awaited word of the new King and the incident, many citizens began lining up at the gates of the Narayanhity Royal Palace to pay their respects to the deceased royalty. They held flowers and bouquets in their hands and placed them in front of the main gate. Condolence book has been kept open at the main gate of the palace, all the 75 district headquarters of the Kingdom and at all the Royal Nepalese embassies abroad.

Meanwhile, body of Bodh Kumari Shah, mother of Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah, husband of Princess Sharada, both of whom were killed on Friday in the palace, was cremated today at the Aryaghat in Pashupatinath Temple. She had suffered a massive heart attack after learning the news of her son and daughter-in-law’s death, said family sources.

The last rites of Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah and Princesses Sharada and Shanti were also performed early Sunday at the Aryaghat with due honours and rituals.

Thousands shave their heads to express grief

By Seema A Adhikari 

KATHMANDU, June 3- Generations to come, the people of this Himalayan nation will remember this Annihilation that exterminated the entire Royal Family and left every Nepali profoundly shocked and dismayed.

Hundreds of people today were seen squatting by Valley streets and lanes getting tonsured, free of cost, as a mark of deep mourning and lamenting the sad demise of their beloved Majesties. What Nepalis have lost is irreplaceable and unforgettable, they said sobbing.

Lives seemed so painfully affected today, after what took the history of eleven generation of Shah Dynasty saw the untimely blowout. Still shocked and dazed by the horrifying event, all Nepalis today offered whatever they could do to express their condolence to Their late Majesties the King and the Queen.

Taken over by grief, Mahadev Makhan Club of Hanuman Dhoka, Makhan Tole Ward-25, today launched a tonsure program in memory of their departed Majesties.

Sushil Bilas Bajracharya, Chairman of the Club said, "I would do everything but cannot forget my beloved King." He wanted to carryout a charity hair-shave, for all those who cannot afford to pay the barbers, to express their grief over the demise of Their Majesties that had remained truly their God and the supreme source of inspiration.

Nearly 200 persons got themselves tonsured within an hour at the Khichapokhari Youth club, while many were seen patiently waiting for their turn outside.

Their love towards the King has found vent in getting their hair shaved. Before the splendor of the Sun fell over the Narayanhiti Royal Palace, hundreds of devoted persons had shaved their head, a traditional Hindu way of showing the state of personal mourning.

Bajracharya informed that people of all ages flocked the barbershops. Hari, a 12-year-old mourner waiting for his turn said that the gesture was the best way to show his grief over the loss of the beloved Royal Family.

A large number of tourists and visitors flanked the Durbar Marg, the road leading to the Royal Palace, hovering over the mourners with cameras. Some of the foreigners were so deeply overwhelmed by the love shown by the people for the late King that they too were seen moving around with tonsured head.

Similarly, a press release received from Birgunj states that over 200 barbers from the Indian towns of Raxaul, Motihari, Betia and Ramagadawa continue to swarm Birgunj since Saturday.

Census 2001 postponed for June 27

KATHMANDU, June 3 (PR)- The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) has decided to add five more days to the Census 2001 owing to the untimely, unexpected and tragic demise of Their Majesties and other members of the Royal Family. on Friday.

"June 22, which was supposed to be the last day of the Census has been extended to June 27," said Keshav Prasad Sharma, Director General of CBS. However, he said that June 22 will be observed as the Census day since the government has already declared it a public holiday.

But the training session for the enumerators of Census 2001, which was scheduled to begin from June 4, is postponed till June 8.

The Postponement of the training session is due to the 5 day State mourning declared throughout the Kingdom by the government

"The training session has been postponed to June 8 and will continue till June 9," said Deputy director of Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS),Rabi Prasad Kayastha.

Health condition of Princesses Komal and Shova satisfactory

KATHMANDU, June 3 (RSS)- Her Royal Highness Princess Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and Her Royal Highness Princess Shobha Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah are in satisfactory health conditions.

According to physicians attending to other members of Royal Family and Royal relatives who have sustained injuries in the June 1 incident at the Narayanhity Royal Palace, HRH Princesses Komal and Shobha have been transformed from the ICU to the VVIP ward of Birendra Military Hospital.

Likewise, Kumar Gorakh Shumsher J.B.. Rana is in stable health condition. According to the physicians, health condition of Dhirendra Shah is still serious. Mrs Ketaki Chestar is in satisfactory health condition. She has been transferred from the ICU to the VVIP ward.

World mourns Their Majesties’ death

Post Report

KATHMANDU, June 3 - Further condolence messages have poured in from across the world over the untimely demise of His Late Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and several other members of the Royal Family.

The Royal Government of Bhutan has announced State Mourning for three days and has cancelled all public functions during the period, states a press release issued today by the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi, India.

The release stated that a prayer ceremony and offering of a thousand butter lamps, presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the central monk body, was performed at the Tashichhodzong. Their Majesties the King and Queen of Bhutan also participated in the prayer ceremony, according to the release.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin expressed his profound regret and grief at the unfortunate demise of Their Late Majesties, stating he was "deeply shocked at the tragic incident."

"King Birendra devoted his entire lifetime to safeguarding state independence and sovereignty of Nepal and promoting social development of his country and well being of his people," the Chinese President wrote in his statement.

Likewise, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji in his condolence message stated that he was "shocked to learn with grief of the unfortunate demise of Their Majesties."

In a press release issued here today, Bangladeshi President Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have both expressed "deep grief and sorrow" over the tragic death of Their Late Majesties and other members of the Royal Family.

Similarly, Korean President Kim Dae-Jung said that he was "deeply shocked to learn of the tragic passing away of His Majesty King Birendra." "I hope that Nepal and Nepalese people will overcome the shock and regain stability as soon as possible," he said.

Meanwhile AFP, the French news agency, adds that flags at Britain’s royal palaces and government buildings flew at half mast Saturday at the request of the Queen Elizabeth after hearing the death of Their Majesties. Members of the second battalion of the Royal Gurkha rifles in Britain will hold a special parade on Monday, it added.

From Australia, Prime Minister John Howard conveyed Australia’s condolences in a statement released here today.

Nepalis in the US grope for answers

By Akhilesh Upadhyay

NEW YORK, USA, June 3 - Thousands of Nepalis all over the United States were preparing for a long weekend as the news of the Royal Palace carnage broke late Friday and spread like a wildfire.

What followed was shock, disbelief, confusion, fear, anger, and mayhem. Over twenty-four hours later, the community is still trying to come to terms with the spine-chilling incident and groping for answers to solve a complicated jigsaw puzzle.

"I was watching ABC news at 6:30pm," said Dr. Jyotsna Neupane, "which said according to unconfirmed report Nepal’s Prince had shot dead King and Queen…"

"‘Oh my God,’ I said to myself. What happened? But why?’"

Within minutes, the New York University doctor was on the phone talking to her parents in Kalikasthan, Kathmandu. "They were shell-shocked themselves and started crying on the phone." But she, at least, came to know that everyone back home was safe. "But there are still some missing links to the story."

Dr. Neupane is hardly alone in the quest for the missing links.

Thousands started the long quest Friday. They remained glued to their TV sets till wee hours of the morning hoping that BBC, CNN and ABC would expand on their scant news bulletins on Nepal.

Nepal-related internet news portals have become a lifeline not only to keep abreast with the high-stakes news back home, but also to express anger, confusion and explanation over what transpired over the fateful dinner at the Royal Palace, and, even more importantly, what next.

Friday was an agonizing night for those who were trying to make sense of the carnage in Royal Palace. And calls to Nepal, where everyone was in bed, offered little help.

They spent hours glued to their television sets hoping that ABC, CNN and the BBC would expand on their scant Nepal bulletins while others visited the news giants’ homepage for the latest development. If short on news, they offered opportunities for meaningful interactions.

Nepalnews.com, a web portal and others like it in general - even websites of major newspapers - were major disappointments. Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post websites had nothing on the incident almost 24 hours after the news broke here even as AP, BBC, CNN, and Reuters provided regular updates.

Biyush Pradhan, a Denver-based chartered accountant, said he couldn’t log on to Nepalnews.com last night, and "got the complete picture" through Zee TV this morning.

But telephone still proved unbeatable when it came to dishing out reassurances, especially to family members. "I was so worried for my son’s safety in Kathmandu," said a middle-aged woman here. "My heart was pounding until I talked to him, and asked him not to venture to the streets the next few days."

Deepak Neupane, a software engineer in Silicon Valley, said he had voicemail from his parents in Kathmandu by the time he reached home from work on Friday. "We talked on the phone several times after that and felt better," he said.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

The nation is still in a state of shock. The full implication of the tragedy that struck this country last Friday is still sinking in. There has been a spontaneous outpouring of grief at the sudden and dramatic demise of His Majesty King Birendra and other royalty who perished in the gunfire that fateful evening. The immediate question in the minds of many was what was going to happen next. Some of that uncertainty has been allayed with the proclamation of Crown Prince Dipendra as King and the appointment of Prince Gyanendra as Regent. The developments of the past few days have underlined just how important the monarchy is to this country. Apart from being the symbol of national unity, the monarchy represented continuity through turbulent times not only in this country but in the region. In the person of King Birendra, the monarch was also a force for progress. Nepalis weep to recall the untiring efforts made by the late king for the all round development of the country and for its prestige in the world at large. In the face of tragedy there is no alternative to fortitude.

In a very real sense what happens to the monarchy is too important for the nation to be left to the palace alone. Although the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal accords the palace certain prerogatives and rightly so, there seems to be a notion that some things concerning the palace are beyond the scope of the people’s right to know or of the powers of government to do anything about. The anomaly has been brought to the fore by the cruel happenings over the weekend. This state of affairs should be put an end to, by the government and the opposition parties acting in concert if that is what it takes, and through a constitutional amendment if need be. They should make it possible to ensure an impartial probe into just what happened that evening and make the findings public.

For some fifteen hours after the shootings in the palace, the public was kept in the dark as to just what had transpired. An official statement finally put out over state radio was brief and raised more questions than it answered. In the absence of reliable information tabloid press headlines had a field day. Some of them spoke about an impending curfew, others about the Prime Minister’s resignation and yet others about other equally drastic developments. The rumours that swirled around the capital were more sensational still. Panic lurked just under the surface. Part of the delay in putting out any official information about what happened was occasioned by the need to ensure a smooth transition. The idea was to be able to announce the new occupant of the throne before the demise of his predecessor was made official. The same tradition was adhered to at the time of the demise of the late King Mahendra. But there was no need for the total news blackout that we saw. The official media is yet to come up with a factual and detailed report on just what took place. This is in stark contrast to the extensive coverage given by foreign news media.

The same blackout seems to reign over the condition of the newly proclaimed king. He is now the monarch of this land and as such the people have a need and a right to know about the state of his health. Either the palace or the military hospital providing his majesty intensive care should come up with periodic and regular health bulletins on him and other injured members of the royal family. They owe it to the nation.

In this hour of grief, a true tribute to Their Majesties and other members of the royal family who have departed for their heavenly abode would be to embrace the right way shown by Their Late Majesties for the progress and happiness of mother Nepal. Praying to the almighty to bestow on Her Majesty the Queen Mother and other remaining members of the royal family the strength to bear the agony of grief, we also pray for the speedy recovery of His Majesty King Dipendra and other injured royalty. Finally, may the nation find a way out of the present crisis with the wise and capable help of newly appointed regent His Royal Highness Prince Gyanendra.

Mourning nation seeks the truth

Post Report

KATHMANDU, June 3 – Two days after the most unprecedented, bloody massacre of the Royal Family, the public mood is changing from spontaneous outburst of grief to anxiety and frustration over not being able to get the "real facts" of the unfortunate incident.

The general public mood changed from shock then grief to anger and the axe it seems has fallen on the present government and foreign media. The public anger rooted on the frustration of being put in "illusion and confusion" led to riots and rallies in different places in the Capital and elsewhere. Hundreds of people with shaven heads were shouting slogans against the present government, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, "foreign intervention", "foreign media" and demanding dissemination of actual facts.

"Yo sarkar chaindaina, jhuto prachaar chaindaina" (We don’t want this government, we don’t want false dissemination of news), "Bideshi dabab chaindaina, jhuto prajatantra chaindaina" (We don’t want foreign pressure, we don’t want fake democracy), "Hatyara lai fashi de" (Hang the murderer), were some of the slogans that the infuriated and emotive mobs chanted in the Capital today.

The people seemed angry over the Prime Minister and government for its inefficiency and weakness and some even said that it was a "puppet government with the strings in foreign hands" and the system "a fake democracy". The people were equally angry with the foreign media "who presented their then Crown Prince and present King Dipendra as a heinous murderer". The police had to use slight force to contain an angry group of people in front of the Royal Palace South Gate.

According to our correspondents in various places in the Kingdom, similar kinds of rallies were taken out in different places in the country.

"It is an unexplainable national tragedy," said Pradeep Kumar Shrestha, Chairman of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) as he came to the Royal Palace along with other FNCCI members to pay tribute to the Late King Birendra as thousands of other civilians.

No one in the country is ready to believe that the present King Dipendra opened fire during a dinner at the Royal Palace on the evening of June 1, as initially stated by different foreign media and then by some local media as well.

"As I knew him he was a gem of a person and it is impossible to believe that he did all this," said Diwakar Golhha, a prominent businessman, when asked if he believed it was the Crown Prince who shot his family members as stated by certain media.

"This is a conspiracy, I don’t believe the things the people are saying," said Purna Shrestha, a carpenter from Bansbhari. "I even cannot believe that King Birendra is dead," he added.

"It is indeed a conspiracy of a great magnitude, the Royal Family has become a victim of that," said Netra Basnet, a political enthusiast from Dolakha district now in Kathmandu. "But if the political parties go on acting like they have been doing then I am convinced that the nation itself will be the victim of an unexpected incident like this one."

"This is a foreign move to bring instability and break national unity," said Laxmi Prasad Kharel, a lecturer in Amrit Science College.

Various parties, institutions and organizations have issued condolence messages over the sad demise of late King Birendra and the Royal Family. Local Chamber of Commerce of Lekhnath and Butwal municipalities, Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, Nepal Trade Union Congress, Nepal Paan Entrepreneurs Association, DECONT, Association of District Development Committees of Nepal, Nepal Civil Service Employees’ Association, Nepali Jaanta Dal, Nepal Children’s Union, MSR organization of Nepal, Nepal Teachers’ Association, Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Artists Society of Nepal, Janakpur Jaycees, BP Koirala Trust, Hindu Volunteers Association have all issued condolences messages and some have demanded proper investigation of the incident.

Similarly, Sailaja Aacharya, Central Working Committee Member of the Nepali Congress has also demanded proper investigation in order to bring true facts to the public and "prevent the country from going into more instability and chaos.

Condolences pouring in

Post Report

KATHMANDU, June 3 - Various political parties and other institutions have expressed deep sorrow over the sudden demise of His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, HRH Prince Nirajan Bir Bikram Shah and HRH Princess Shruti Rajya Laxmi Devi Rana.

In a press release, former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai expressed deep condolences to Their Majesties and other relatives of the Royal Family. It stated, "The people will remember the contributions made by His late Majesty for the development and establishment after the restoration of democracy."

Similarly, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that the untimely demise of Their Majesties have orphaned the whole kingdom. "Late King Birendra has left an irremovable impression among the people as a Constitutional Monarch," his press statement added.

The condolence message from former Prime Minister Marich Man Singh stated that the historic roles played by the late King to brighten the impression of the country in the international arena are beyond comparisons.

Meanwhile, the politburo meeting of CPN (ML) that took place on Sunday, resolved that the possibility of any political conspiracy cannot be overlooked behind the Friday night’s incident. It concluded that confusions were created because the truth of the incident was not out even after a long time.

"A probe committee be formed on this and let the report of the incident published soon. It is the people’s right to be informed too," a statement issued by the party said.

The release, signed by the Party General Secretary Bamdev Gautam, added that the incident proves that security arrangement is extremely poor even in the sensitive places like the Royal Palace.

Likewise, a Standing Committee meeting of the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist) demanded that the truth be brought out in the open.

It further demanded that the present state of health of the present King and other relatives of the royal family be informed to the public.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party had its emergency meeting today, which concluded that the tragic incident never before heard in the world history has shocked the whole of Nepalis.

Nepal Human Rights Organisation held a central executive and advisers’ meeting today. The meeting demanded that the state of health of the present king be publicised.

In the same way, World Hindu Federation has issued a press release, stating that the untimely demise of the Royal Family and other relatives have shocked the Hindu communities the world over.

Massacre a grave political conspiracy: Maoist

Post Report

KATHMANDU, June 3 - The underground CPN-Maoist party has alleged that Friday night’s Royal massacre was a grave political conspiracy, and ruled out possibilities that the event was a result of family conflict.

"Terming it a family conflict, planned propaganda of both national and international reactionaries and the drama seen while performing the last rites clearly proves that the massacre is a result of conspiracy," said a press release issued here today, which bore the signature of Prachanda, the underground party President.

And "To think that King Birendra’s patriotic stand and liberal political ideology were not the reasons for the royals’ death would be a big misleading politics," the statement added.

The release said that the late king was in favour of the Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s plan to mobilise the army to contain the people’s war. "Koirala, and the Indian capitalist, hegemonist rulers and other national and international fundamental reactionists were not tolerating late King Birendra’s liberal thoughts," said the release. "This pre-planned massacre designed in this political background will have long term effects on the future of Nepal and the Nepali history."

"This fatal massacre portrays the end of the present political system," the release stated.

The release said that the party considers it a necessity to take the Maoists’ "peoples’ movement" to a new height to wipe out the curtain of the massacre and check any such further massacres.

"This course of event has proved the relevance of our proposal for all-party convention, formation of the interim government and formation of new Constitution," said the release.

A source close to the Maoist, ruling out the possibility of the present King Dipendra wiping out his family, said, "To remove confusion among the people, the government must soon bring out the facts to the people. The government can not run away from disclosing the facts by saying it is the affair of the palace."

The source also expressed his concern about why the process of postmortem was eventually not given continuity and why the last rites were carried out so hastily.