Probe body suffers setback as UML leader pulls out
Move questionable, hints DPM

By Utpal Raj Misra

KATHMANDU, June 5 - In yet another dramatic turn of events, the leader of the main opposition party Madhav Kumar Nepal has withdrawn his name from the high level investigation committee constituted by King Gyanendra yesterday, citing short-comings in its formation procedure.

Unconfirmed reports, meanwhile, said another top leader of the CPN-UML could substitute Nepal in the probe committee.

The King, on Monday, evening had named a three-member investigation committee under the chairmanship of Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadyaya to probe the shootings inside the Royal Palace on June 1, which led to the untimely death of at least 10 Royal Family members, including the late King Birendra and his entire family.

King Gyanendra had ordered the high-powered committee to submit a finding within three days. Speaker of the Lower House of the Parliament Taranath Ranabhat and the leader of the main opposition CPN-UML Madhav Nepal were the other members named in the committee.

But today, opposition leader Nepal announced that his party had termed the procedure of the formation of the committee lacking in constitutional and legal authority. A statement put out by him today said that the party’s standing committee meeting had decided that "since the committee formed by the King was not in consonance with the Constitution and law, and since it was not done in a transparent way, the party cannot agree with the procedure of the formation of the investigation committee."

Elaborating on the statement, KP Sharma Oli, an influential leader and the member of the UML’s standing committee, said that the party could not agree with the formation of the committee since "a) the decision was not recommended by the Cabinet, and b) Constitutional clauses and sub clauses according to which the committee was formed were not mentioned while naming the committee."

However, the Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel categorically asserted that the King formed the committee on the advice of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and was in consonance with the Constitution.

"The Prime Minister had made a statement on Saturday saying that he would initiate a probe in the matter to bring out true facts. That statement was made after a meeting with the Cabinet and other high dignitaries and opposition leaders," said Poudel. "On the basis of that meeting where everybody advised the Prime Minister that an investigation should be done, he advised His Majesty."

Poudel also added that he believed that it was the best possible formation of an investigation committee and that it should get its job done as soon as possible and bring out the actual facts.

In clause 35(2) of the Constitution of Nepal 1990, it is stated, " Except as otherwise expressly provided as to be exercised exclusively by His Majesty or at His discretion or on the recommendation of any institution or official, the powers of His Majesty under this Constitution shall be exercised upon the recommendation and advice, and with the consent of the Council of Ministers. Such recommendation, advice and consent shall be submitted through the Prime Minister."

But Oli argues that the constitutional clauses and the facts that the decision was taken by going through had to be mentioned while announcing it.

Opposition leader Nepal’s withdrawal throws the spanner in the investigation of the most tragic incident in Nepal’s recent history ever. It also comes at a time when the entire nation is looking towards the investigation committee and its report. As such, there are comments here that the UML may have committed a political blunder by withdrawing from the committee on flimsy grounds, and that too, in these tragic times.

"We are going through uncommon times and we have to take everything according to the principle of fairness rather than looking at minor legal technicalities," said Daman Nath Dhungana, former Speaker of the Parliament and a prominent senior advocate. "I fail to understand why he has withdrawn from taking the responsibility," he said.

Another lawyer, not wanting to be named, said, " At a time when people and the opposition parties itself was demanding the actual facts and when best choice of people were selected in terms of inquiry, the only answer would be that opposition leader Nepal is trying to escape from the responsibility that he has been given."

Wild mushroom claims 14 livesin Ilam

Post Report

ILAM, June 5- At least 14 people have died in Ilam since May last week, mostly from the same family, after consuming wild mushroom that grew at the vicinity of their houses, police said Tuesday.

Seven members died from a single family, four from another household and three others belonging to two separate families after consuming poisonous mushroom, according to the local police at Pashupatinagar.

Durga Pradhan, along with his six family members - two sons, two daughters, and two grand-children all succumbed to the deadly mushroom unable to identify it. His wife, Padam Maya Pradhan has been admitted to Amda Hospital at Damak and her condition is serious.

Similarly, Bal Bahadur Rai along with his wife and children died of consuming the deadly mushroom after mistaking it to be a leguminous. Rai, his wife, his two sons and a daughter all have succumbed to the deadly mushroom after they made the curry of it and consumed along with rice.

Dozens injured in nationwide unrest

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KATHMANDU, June 5 - Around two dozens of people sustained bullet injuries after police opened fires at people defying curfew orders in the capital city and Birtamod, Jhapa, on the second day of curfew, which left the Capital unusually calm and peaceful, days after the massacre of most of Royal Family.

According to the police, a total of 540 people—473 people in Kathmandu and 87 in Lalitpur district—have also been arrested during the course of the curfew that started at 12 noon and ended after mid-night. .

Three children were injured in Anamnagar while the others come from Bouddha and Lokanthali area. Those injured in the Anamnagar incident include, Nabina Pun (11), Rita Pun (9) and Kajol Pun (6), all from the same family, who were playing around their home. The incident occured at around 1:30 p.m. when the police guarding the city thoroughfares opened fires at the protestors who were burning tyres on the street.

Those injured in another police firing at Bouddha include, Nima Pasang Sherpa (12), Sampada Lama (17), Priya Lama, Surendra Jung Subedi, Krishna Lama (19), Buddha Rai and Sonam Lama. Twenty-three-year-old Lokendra Basnet was injured in another incident of firing at Lokanthali.

In Lalitpur, at least nine people sustained bullet injuries, out of them four are undergoing treatment in Patan Hospital and B & B Hospital while the rest returned home after receiving minor treatment.

In another development in Bhaktapur, more than 800 people shouting slogans against the monarchy and supporting the Maoist rebels pelted stones at Bhaktapur District Administration and the District Police Office at around 8:00 p.m.in the evening, police and eyewitness said.

Protests reveal fear of uncertainty

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KATHMANDU, June 5 – The spontaneous protests that have erupted in Kathmandu and other towns of Nepal are not directed against the monarchy itself but against the uncertainty that has suddenly engulfed this nation, analysts here say.

Thousands of marchers who braved police and army lines to come out on the streets on Sunday and Monday register the same incredulous sentiment: How can the entire family of the widely admired late King Birendra be wiped out in one fell swoop?

The undercurrent beneath that question points to the love and admiration for the departed King. It also speaks volumes about the worries of an uncertain future that stares Nepal and its 23 million people. Will the future be one of multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy, as King Birendra so committed himself in consolidating in his later years? Or will intrigues of the highest order, such as those littered throughout Nepal’s history, be the rule of the day?

The first answer to that question came from the newly crowned King Gyanendra himself. In his first message to the nation Monday night, King Gyanendra committed himself to the policies of his elder brother.

RSS, the official news agency, quoted the King as saying that the wishes of his august brother, the late King Birendra, "of guiding the Nepali people towards a prosperous future through constitutional monarchy and multi-party democratic exercises will always remain a source of inspiration for all of us."

This key statement, which is noteworthy because it is the new monarch’s first ever public utterances about democracy and constitutional monarchy, should help in shutting up his critics who still judge him by the various rumours reported over the years.

Indeed, the Nepali Congress Party, which fought bitterly with King Gyanendra’s father over democracy in the dark days of the 60s and 70s, has already welcomed the new king’s message. At a meeting of its Central Working Committee this morning, the Congress adopted a resolution that says, "the Nepali Congress commends the monarch and believes in his commitment to multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy as expressed by him in his first Royal Address."

So will that shut up the critics for good? Probably not. Part of the reason is that so little is known about the new King. Except for his official pronouncements and biography and his obvious love for conservation work, Nepal’s citizens and analysts alike have had little information about his views. In the absence of information, rumours fly.

King’s new role emphasized

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KATHMANDU, June 5 – With the crowning of Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev as the new King of this Himalayan Kingdom, not only his structural position in the society but also his role and responsibility have changed.

This changed context has juxtaposed some of his current engagements, namely his business interests, in direct contrast to his new role as a monarch, say experts.

" His business interests and engagements are no more in conformity with the role of a monarch," says a Tribhuwan University Professor, wishing to remain unnamed. "So it would be in the best interest of the country and his own image to renounce his involvement from businesses," he adds.

King Gyanendra has one of the most extended business interests among the Royalties. He has stakes in the country’s largest-selling cigarette factory, a leading five-star hotel, a vibrant trading company and a tea garden in eastern Nepal, among others. Now, as the number one Royal in the country, his income from various business interests are exempt from all taxes.

"It will be an unusually awkward situation if the King continues to compete with the public in economic activities…it will not be a level playing field in terms of access and influence, " says an industrialist on condition of anonymity. " We want to respect the King… not compete with him," he adds.

General public also say that they want to see their King concentrate on his new role as a Constitutional Monarch rather than as a businessman.

"We don’t know much about our new monarch so he should concentrate on building confidence with his people and try to emulate his brother’s image," says Bipin Aryal, a 20-year old university student, who participated in Monday’s violent protest demanding an impartial investigation into Friday’s horrendous massacre at the Royal Palace.

Aryal says he has become hopeful after the new King’s statement delivered Monday evening through state radio and television. "The new King showed his political acumen by deciding swiftly and honoring people’s sentiments."

Non-engagements in business activities and commitments to Constitutional Monarchy and multi-party democracy were the hallmarks of late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev. "We want the new King to embrace the same," says Aryal.

Political parties hopeful

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KATHMANDU, June 5 - The political parties sounded hopeful and optimistic that the new King, Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev would preserve the democratic fibre of the nation’s polity despite the rumours doing the rounds to the contrary.

Issuing a press release of a meeting of the Central Working Committee (CWC), the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) on Tuesday expressed its gratitude to King Gyanendra for his statement expressing his trust and commitment to parliamentary democracy and Constitutional Monarchy.

Narahari Acharya, the spokesperson of the NC termed the street protests "spontaneous" but expressed the apprehension that the demonstrations might be misused by the people with vested interests. He appealed to the government as well as the protestors to exercise maximum restraint.

Similar views were expressed by Kamal Thapa, the spokesperson of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party. Thapa said that the people’s anger was based on rumours and wild theories doing the rounds. He too appealed for calm "at this heartfelt mourning and critical period".

Both Thapa and Acharya remarked that their parties were fully confident that the new King was committed to democracy in the country.

K P Oli, second in command of the main opposition, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) told The Kathmandu Post that the delay on any credible information on the shootout at the Palace has ignited the people’s anger who are protesting the lack of information.

World leades condole Their Majesties’ death

KATHMANDU, June 5 (PR)- Heads of the state and leaders from various countries around the world have expressed their deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences on the painful tragedy that has befallen the Royal Family of Nepal

According to a press statement issued here Tuesday by the Embassy of India, Indian President KR Narayanan and Indian Premier Atal Behari Vajpayee have expressed their great sorrow and heartfelt condolences on the deadly massacre of the Nepalese Royal Family that took the lives of King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and other Royalties.

In a message addressed to His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, President Narayanan has said, "May Lord Pashupatinath give you the courage and strength to bear this enormous personal loss and national grief. As you assume the leadership of the Kingdom of Nepal in these sad circumstances, I would like to express the solidarity of India as a close friend of Nepal, in your efforts to put behind you this national tragedy."

Shaven heads reflect unifying symbol of monarchy

By Ameet Dhakal 

KATHMANDU, June 5 – Taluchinde or taklu (shaven head) have suddenly become synonymous with mourning, respect and above all a symbol of national unity this week.

Never before in history had so many Nepalis collectively shaven their heads off. Hairdressers in the Capital city say hundreds and thousands of Nepali shaved off their heads within three days after the death of their beloved King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and other Royalties. But no one knows exactly how many became taklu.

According to the Hindu ritual, close male relatives of the deceased go for chhyour (the practice of completely shaving of one’s hair) to undergo fasting as a symbol of mourning. Tirtha Raj Acharya, an agnihotri bramahan (roughly translated as chief priest) says without chhyour, one is not qualified for fasting.

Hindu religion treats hair as an impure substance on one’s body. According to Hindu epics it is asthi malam (impurity of bone), says Acharya.

But very few knew about its religious significance when they went for chhyour this week. About 200,000 government servants, mainly from the army, police and civil service, have shaved their heads as per the government notice. But judging by the glistening bald pates roaming about Kathmandu and elsewhere, it is safe to say that more than that number, the common citizens, mostly young males, have also voluntarily shaved off their trusses.

"I don’t know the religious reason behind the shaving but I went for it only to pay respect and love for my beloved late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev," says Shekhar Karki, a resident of New Baneshwor. Frenzied by the scale at which Nepali people shaved their heads, even a number of foreigners, who are by no way Hindus, also opted to become taklu.

For some, the mass shaving reflected a true symbol of unity. "I see a very positive move in this act. Yes, it shows love, respect and mourning but more than anything else it shows a strong sense of unity, which was becoming utterly rare in Nepali social life," says Arjun Adhikari, a lecturer at the Tribhuban University.

Due to partisan politics, Nepali society has been heavily divided and there were hardly anything that could blend people for a common cause. But this week was a testimony to the fact that people still rally behind the Monarchy, says Adhikari. There were Bahuns, Newars, Chhetris, Madhises and cadre of the Nepali Congress, communist parties and all other political parties who all shaved their heads. But more than anything else they had a sense of being a Nepali, agonized by the irreparable loss of the Royal Family.

Perhaps this is what it means when they say that the Monarchy remains as the symbol of unity in Nepali society. And it sways people from all walks of life equally. "I was busy all the day on Saturday shaving heads of my customers…by Sunday the desire to get myself shaved off became so irresistible that I myself became taluchinde," says a barber Sohan Thakur from Mohattari.

It was one of his customers that especially swayed Sohan. "One of my customers said that he was shaving off his hair though he did not do the same when his grandfather died a year ago…then I also felt that I should not keep my hair," says he.

Though many had become taluchinde immediately after the last funeral rites of the late King Birendra on Saturday evening, others followed it Sunday and Monday. "I was profoundly feeling the agony of the tragic demise of the man I respected so much but I was simply dazed and too confused to express myself…when I saw many people becoming taklu I found a way of expression," says Nabin Chitrakar of Buddhanagar.

Like Nabin, many others followed a growing number of taklus and in doing so they were unknowingly discovering one of the best way of paying tribute to late King Birendra: The late King always decided to go with the majority of people be it during the announcement of national referendum in 1981 or during 1990 popular Janandolan.

By shaving their head, Nepali people clearly said, "The King is dead," but the profound respect involved in it also said "Long Live the King."