SPECIAL EDITORIAL
No politicization, please

No matter how difficult it may be, the truth about the slaying our dearly beloved King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya has finally come out. The high powered probe committee headed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Keshab Prasad Upadhyaya and comprising the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Taranath Ranabhat, has named the then Crown Prince Dipendra as the one who pulled the trigger, unleashing one of the worst and most gruesome regicide in history and traumatizing this country. The panel despite its time limitations has obviously done a commendable job interviewing the survivors of the massacre, Royal Palace officials and guards. But despite the meticulous work done by the commission, the people who are just not ready to face the truth may find the findings too difficult to believe. But no panel will be true or impartial if it plays to the gallery and brings out only those things that the people want to hear and see. Indeed, truth is always hard to digest and the naming of Dipendra as the one who pulled the trigger that left so many dead is one such truth.

The bitter truth will have to be swallowed and the nation put back on tracks. The panel – at least from its press conference – did not attribute a motive for the killings. And this will ultimately have to be revealed, if there is one and if the then Crown Prince had merely gone berserk for nothing as it may be his wont. But whatever be the case, the panel has established without refute that the he sprayed the bullets that killed so many. The nation, however, has to move forward and it behooves on political parties not to politicise the whole sad tragedy. If there has ever been a time for the people and the political parties to unitedly forge ahead, it is surely now. The wounds have to be healed and the nation has to be put on tracks again. Already the political squabbling in the past few years has cost the country dear and if similar tendency in this case is repeated, it may pose a threat to the survival of this nation as an independent entity, something nobody would ever want. There may be things that needs to be put right, including carrying of lethal weapons by members of the Royal Family. This, the political parties and the Royal Palace sitting together can solve. But the important thing now for all Nepalese is to get on the path of national development which has always been the top priority of our late beloved king.

Report blames Dipendra for Palace shootings

Post Report

KATHMANDU, June 14 - The two-man high level committee today said that the then Crown Prince Dipendra was the lone gunman responsible for the June 1 massacre at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace.

After a week-long investigation into the massacre, the probe committee presented its final report to King Gyanendra at the Royal Palace and immediately after that, it made the report public at a crowded press conference at the Parliament Secretariat.

The Committee, headed by Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyay and Speaker at the Lower House of Parliament Taranath Ranabhat as the member, interviewed witnesses, related persons, security people who carried out the evacuation, medical experts and others, and also carried out on-site visits, and forensic examination.

Speaker Ranabhat read aloud the synopsis of the committee report and then exhibited a drawing of the incident site, arms and ammunition recovered, and some of the evidences recovered during investigation.

Ranabhat also informed that the entire finding in a 220-page volume would be available for further reference at the National Library, Tribhuwan University Library, Nepal Press Institute and the Internet in the website http://www.ntc.net.np

What follows here is the "unofficial translation" of the synopsis of the High Level Committee report on the Royal Palace Incident, as posted on the website:

In the course of collecting facts about the incident that transpired at Narayanhiti Royal Palace the night of June l, 200l, this high level committee carried out an observation of the site of the incident, collected physical items and materials and subjected these to scientific tests, and interrogated eye witnesses, those affected by the incident, and royal guards as well as individuals involved in the relief work and doctors involved in the treatment. Besides this, inquiries were made with individuals where this was thought necessary on the basis of facts that came to light from people with whom inquiries were made in the course of the investigations, and necessary records and documents were sent for from places concerned. From investigations made on that basis the following facts have emerged: -

1. In keeping with the tradition of regular family gatherings held at Narayanhiti Royal Palace on the third Friday of every month, such a gathering was organised on Friday June l, 200l also. His Majesty King Birenda Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, Her Majesty Queen Mother Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah and His Royal Highness Prince Nirajan Bir Bikram Shah were present at the gathering held at the Tribhuvan Sadan of Narayanhiti Royal Palace as were all the 24 invitees including other members of the royal family and royal relatives, except Her Royal Highness Princess Prekchhya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, Kumar Sri Mohan Bahadur Shahi and Raj Kumari Bimala Singh, according to a letter of the principal secretariat of His Majesty the King dated June 8, 200l.

2. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (hereafter HRH the Crown Prince) arrived first at the venue of the gathering at Tribhuvan Sadan at 7.30 p.m., it is confirmed by royal ADC Gajendra Bohara and waiters. Thereafter, the other invitees arrived one after another by 8 p.m., it is apparent. At 8 p.m., HRH the Crown Prince proceeded to Mahendra-Manzil by his car and conveyed Her Majesty the Queen Mother, with himself at the wheel, to Tribhuvan Sadan, the venue of the gathering, it is also apparent. Her Majesty the Queen Mother then remained with Her Royal Highness Princess Helen Shah in the small chamber known as Sano Baithak to the east of the billiard hall. After the royal family members and royal relatives arrived, His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (hereafter HM the King) finally arrived directly at Tribhuvan Sadan on foot from his office around 8.30 p.m., had a darshan of Her Majesty the Queen Mother and after some pleasantries proceeded towards the billiard room, it has come to light from eye witnesses to the sequence of events.

3. HRH the Crown Prince at 7.30 pm, played billiards by himself for some time at the billiard room at Tribhuvan Sadan and in the course of that drank one or two pegs of Famous Grouse whisky neat, according to HRH the Crown Prince’s ADC Gajendra Bohara and royal relatives Maheshwar Singh and Rabi Shumsher J.B.R. A little before HM the King arrived at the Tribhuvan Sadan (some l0-l2 minutes before), four individuals including HRH Prince Nirajan, HRH Prince Paras, Kumar Gorakh and Dr Rajeev saw HRH the Crown Prince swaying, unable to hold himself upright, and wondering if it was not the effect of the whisky, they took HRH the Crown Prince to his bed chamber inside Tribhuvan Sadan, it is learnt from eye witnesses.

4. While in the billiard room HRH the Crown Prince had ordered his ADC Gajendra Bohara by mobile phone at 8.l9 pm to fetch cigarettes and Gajendra Bohara, as ordered, brought a special kind of cigarette prepared with a mixture of hashish and another unnamed black substance as per an order to royal orderly Ramkrishan KC, and proceeded to the east door of the billiard hall and entrusted them to HRH Prince Paras, according to the said Ram Krishna. HRH the Crown Prince himself made arrangements for the hashish and the black substance, it was not known from where it could have come, and since about a year ago he had been making such cigarettes, orderly of HRH the Crown Prince Ram Krishna KC said before the committee. Orderly Ramkrishna KC’s version has been corroborated by royal ADCs to HRH the Crown Prince Gajendra Bohara and Raju Karki who said before the committee that HRH the Crown Prince used to smoke such cigarettes.

5. According to particulars received from the telecommunications corporation, it is learnt from the documentation there that HRH the Crown Prince talked to Debyani Rana for one minute l4 seconds on his mobile no. 98l02l5l3 at 8.l2 p.m. on June l, 200l through mobile no. 98l024339 of Usha Rana, and the second time Debyani Rana talked to HRH the Crown Prince for 4 minutes l4 seconds on mobile no. 98l02l5l3l from phone no. 0l42305l at 9.l9 p.m. Finally, at 8.39 HRH the Crown Prince talked to Debyani Rana for 32 seconds on his mobile no. 98l02l5l3 through mobile no. 98l024339, according to the same particulars.

HRH the Crown Prince had close ties with Miss Debyani Rana of Maharajgunj, according to royal ADCs Gajendra Bohara and Raju Karki as well as Supriya Shah, a friend of HRH the Crown Prince. Debyani’s mother and father themselves pointed out in the course of inquiries before the committee that there was contact between HRH the Crown Prince and Debyani Rana. That there was a close relationship between HRH the Crown Prince and herself was confirmed by Debyani Rana herself (in a tape recording of her voice) when questioned by Royal Nepalese Ambassador to India Dr Bhekh Bahadur Thapa as empowered by the committee.

6. Miss Debyani Rana said as matters concerning HRH the Crown Prince were her personal affair she did not want to say anything about them and that at 8.25 p.m. when the exchanges were taking place with HRH the Crown Prince his speech sounded slurred, so further exchange could not take place, adding that "the voice of HRH the Crown Prince was somewhat slurred, is he somewhat unwell? She wondered and phoned HRH the Crown Prince’s ADC Gajendra Bohara at his office and Raju Karki at his home urging them to go have a look at the bed chamber".

7. After Miss Debyani Rana phoned ADC Gajendra Bohara and Raju Karki. Karki also passed the message to Gajendra Bohara by phone. Ramkrishna KC, orderly to HRH the Crown Prince, and dware ama Jamuna Adhikari, as ordered by Bohara, reached the bed chamber of HRH the Crown Prince whereupon they found HRH the Crown Prince prone on the ground and trying to undo the clothing on the upper part of his body. They helped take off the clothing and after that HRH the Crown Prince proceeded to the bathroom. Jamuna Adhikari also herd retching noises coming from the bathroom and after coming out of the bathroom HRH the Crown Prince ordered them both to go to their respective rooms to sleep, according to the dware ama and orderly Ramkrishna KC.

8. At 8.39 in the evening HRH the Crown Prince talked on his mobile phone no. 98l02l5l3 to Miss Debyani Rana on mobile no 98l024339 for 32 seconds as evident from records at the telecommunications corporation and this has been conceded by Miss Rana adding that HRH the Crown Prince had said "I am now about to sleep", "good night, we’ll talk tomorrow".

9. After the phone contact with Miss Debyani Rana, HRH the Crown Prince put on army combat dress and came out of the bed chamber with weapons where he was seen by HRH Crown Prince’s orderly Ramkrishna who thought the Crown Prince was about to go out and said "shall the emergency bag be brought sire", whereupon HRH the Crown Prince replied "it’s not necessary now", according to orderly Ramkrishna.

l0. HRH the Crown Prince in combat fatigues and armed on both sides with rifle and revolver proceeded towards the billiard hall, according to ‘boys’ Bachuram KC who saw HRH the Crown Prince from the eastern room of the dining hall adjoining the billiard hall.

ll. HRH the Crown Prince in combat fatigues entered the billiard hall and fired at the ceiling and west wall with a 9 mm Caliber MP-5K automatic sub-machine gun and then fired rat-tat-tat at His Majesty the King who was then standing near the east end of the billiard table talking to others. All the while HRH the Crown Prince moved back and came out of the billiard room, threw the l2 bore SPAS l2-L FRENCH SPA gun near the stairs to the north of the inner garden edge east of the hall, then entered the billiard room again aiming the 5.56 caliber Colt M-l6 A2 rifle with light and telescope and fired rat-tat-tat again at His Majesty the King, Kumar Gorakh Shumsher Rana, Sri Dhirendra Shah and Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah, then moved back to reach the door, and again advanced to fire indiscriminately a third time hitting HRH Princess Shruti Rajya Laxmi Devi Rana, HRH Princess Sharada Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, HRH Princess Shanti Rajya Laxmi Rana and HRH Princess Jayanti Shah as well as others. HRH the Crown Prince moved back out of the billiard hall and to the east towards the inner garden, according to HRH Princess Shova, HRH Prince Paras, Kumar Gorakh, Ketaki Chestar, Rabi Shumsher, Dr Rajeev Shahi and Maheshwar Kumar Singh who were present at the site.

l2. As HRH the Crown Prince moved back towards the inner garden to the east after firing indiscriminately at the billiard hall a third time, a female figure in red sari was seen giving chase in that direction, as seen by ‘boys’ Santa Bahadur Khadka among others from the dinning room to the north adjoining the billiard hall, Khadka said. HRH Prince Nirajan followed Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah (hereafter Her Majesty the Queen) via the pathway from the billiard room towards the inner garden to the east to a small convergence point between the pathway from the garden to the bed chamber in Tribhuvan Sadan and the pathway to the shed to the east, according to Mrs Ketaki Chestar among others, and shots were fired from north to south after crossing a ladder there and while standing at the small meadow, going by observation of the site including the state of the empty cartridge shells and bullet marks on the wall to the south. HRH Prince Nirajan was found laying prone in an unconscious state with the head to the east and Major Bishnu Khadka and others carried HRH the Prince and brought him outside, put him in a car and took him to hospital, according to Major Bishnu Khadka among others.

13. According to royal ADCs, after the firing at the billiard hall the royal ADCs sitting in the inner room of the ADC office on the right hand side of the main gate of Tribhuvan Sadan heard the sound of firing and the alarm "call the doctors soon..." and entered the billiard hall by breaking the glass of the door, which is to the south of the hall and always remains closed, to immediately start rescue work from the hall. Royal ADC Colonel Sundar Pratap Rana, among others, entered the hall, carried His Majesty the King, who was unconscious, out to the car and drove to the military hospital, Chhauni, the ADCs said.

14. It was seen during the observation of the site of the incident that brain tissues, a few teeth and jaws, red tika, two ear pins, broken pieces of red glass bangles and blood stains were scattered here and there at the place where Her Majesty the Queen was said to have been lying after indiscriminate firing at Her Majesty at the upper part (seventh) step of the inner staircase leading to the bed chamber of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, which can be reached after crossing a bridge over a pond, turning to the north and passing through the main gate that leads to the bed chamber upstairs.

15. Major Bishnu Khadka and the royal ADCs, who was involved in the rescue work, also told the committee that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was found lying on his back and gurgling to the south of the small bridge over the little pond at the garden in front of Tribhuvan Sadan where the bed chamber of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is situated. During the observation of the site of the incident, a 9mm. caliber Glock Ges. pistol, which His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was said to be in possession of, and empty cartridges discharged from the pistol were found in the water of the pond in the eastern side. Also during the observation a 5.56 caliber M-16 A2 rifle was found on a small lawn to the south of the same place.

16. After the incident at the above mentioned billiard hall, and at the garden to the east of the hall and the staircase leading to the bed chamber, Royal ADCs and other security personnel rushed the victims to Shree Birendra Military Hospital, Chhauni. The committee has received the following information regarding the time they reached the hospital and their condition at that time: -

(a) His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was pronounced dead upon arrival at Birendra Military Hospital at 9:15 in the evening.

(b) Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah was pronounced dead upon arrival at Birendra Military Hospital at 9:15 in the evening

(c) His Royal Highness Prince Nirajan Bir Bikram Shah was pronounced dead upon arrival at Birendra Military Hospital at 9:15 in the evening.

(d) Her Royal Highness Princess Sruti Rajya Laxmi Devi Rana, who reached Birendra Military Hospital at 9:20 in the evening, was pronounced dead at the hospital at 9:55 the same evening.

(e) Her Royal Highness Princess Shanti Rajya Laxmi Devi Singh was pronounced dead upon arrival at Birendra Military Hospital at 9:30 in the evening.

(f) Her Royal Highness Princess Sharada Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah was pronounced dead upon arrival at Birendra Military Hospital at 9:30 in the evening.

(g) Her Royal Highness Princess Jayanti Rajya Laxmi Shah was pronounced dead upon arrival at Birendra Military Hospital at 9:30 in the evening.

(h) Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah was pronounced dead upon arrival at Birendra Military Hospital at 9:35 in the evening.

(i) His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, who reached Birendra Military Hospital at 9:24 P.M. on June 1, 2001, was pronounced dead at 3:45 A.M. at the hospital on June 4, 2001.

(j) Mr. Dhirendra Shah, who reached Birendra Military Hospital at 9:24 P.M. on June 1, 2001, was pronounced dead at 5:57 P.M. at the hospital on June 4, 2001.

17. No information regarding the death of anyone in the incident other than the 10 (ten) mentioned above has been received.

18. Reports from the hospital confirm that Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, Her Royal Highness Princess Shobha Rajya Laxmi Shahi, Kumar Gorakh Shumsher J. B. Rana and Mrs. Ketaki Chestar, all victims of the incident, have sustained serious injuries.

19. According to a letter dated June 10, 2001 received from Birendra Military Hospital, Chhauni, when His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was taken to the hospital immediately after the incident, HRH the Crown Prince was wearing black army boots, a camouflage (combat) army jacket and trousers, black leather gloves, black stockings and a camouflage vest. The committee took possession of the clothing, gloves and boots for inspection and after a laboratory test on the blood stains and some yellowish substances on them experts concerned concluded that the stains were of blood group "B". Among the deceased, Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also have been found to have blood group "B".

20. The committee has also received a letter from the hospital, which states that upon arrival at the hospital His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was wearing gloves and the gloves have been handed in to the committee. No gloves other than the single pair (of gloves) in question have been found at the site of the incident and the hospital.

21. (a) Forty-seven (47) cartridge cases fired from a 5.56 caliber colt m-16 A2 with weapon number A0073943 (commando) automatic rifle have been recovered. It has been learnt from experts concerned that the rifle can fire 700 to 1,000 bullets per minute.

(b) Experts concerned are of the opinion that the 29 cartridge cases found at the site of the incident were fired from a 9mm. caliber MP-5 K automatic sub-machine gun, which can fire up to 900 bullets per minute.

(c) It has been learnt from experts concerned that the two(2) cartridge cases found at the site of the incident were fired from a 9mm. caliber MP-5 K automatic Ges.m.b.H pistol. The cartridges were found in the pond near the small bridge where His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is said to have been found lying injured by rescuers.

(d) Captain Madhav Bhandari told the committee at its office that the M-16 gun with no. A0073943 mentioned in chapter (a) was issued as per the demand made by the Royal Guard Military Police, the Royal Palace on 056/5/31 Bikram Era and handed in to the Royal Palace armory (kotkhana) after acquiring it from the Royal Nepalese Army arsenal. In course of his interrogation, ADC to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Gajendra Bohara mentioned that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince carried this weapon when he went on trekking, and there was a practice of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince taking weapons directly from the Royal Palace armory (kotkhana) whenever His Royal Highness the Crown Prince so wished.

(e) It has also been found that one pistol and a 9mm. caliber gun were issued as per the demand from the Royal ADC office, the Royal Palace on 2053/1/27 Bikram Era and 2056/7/28 Bikram Era. According to ADC to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Gajendra Bohara, the weapons were in HRH the Crown Prince’s possession.

(f) Details received from the Royal Palace show that the 9mm. G19 Glock pistol with no. YY 334 was also issued from the arsenal to hand it in to His Royal Highness Prince Nirajan.

(g) Neither the opinions of experts concerned nor the cartridges recovered confirmed that the 9mm caliber Glock pistol found at the billiard hall and the 12 bore single barrel shot gun recovered from a corner south-west of the lawn were fired during the incident.

22. No entrance to the site of the incident other than the main gate which houses the ADC office inside Tribhuvan Sadan at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace and a small closed gate in the eastern part were found during the observation of the site of the incident.

23. That bullet injuries were the cause of death of all killed in the incident, which took place at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace on June 1, 2001, has been substantiated also by the opinion of the physicians concerned of Birendra Military Hospital, Chhauni. Also the injured said in course of interrogations that they sustained the injuries from gunshots. Information received from Birendra Military Hospital also revealed that gunshots were the cause of the injuries sustained by victims of the incident currently at the hospital.

Why ?

KATHMANDU, June 14 (PR)- The much-awaited high-level probe committee report on the June 1 Royal Palace massacre today confirmed that the then Crown Prince Dipendra had shot and killed his family members. But it still leaves out the key question: What was the motive behind the killing?

"I don’t know," said Speaker of the House Taranath Ranabhat, one of the two-committee members, when reporters asked what the motives could be behind the massacre. Though he clearly said that his committee had "put together the facts what it have found investigating under the terms of reference" established by His Majesty King Gyanendra.

Even one of the five-point terms of references clearly states that the committee has the power to acquire information from family members and other individuals present at the gathering at the site of incident, individuals providing security and other services at the Royal Palace, doctors and nurses involved in the treatment and other individuals whom the committee deems essential to interview.

However, according to the report, Debyani Rana — reportedly one of the key persons behind the entire episode — declined "to say anything" about what the then Crown Prince Dipendra talked to her over phone on June 1 evening before the incident saying it "were her personal affair."

On the other hand, the report clearly establishes the fact that "there was a close relationship between the then Crown Prince and Debyani Rana." It even says that Debyani Rana were one of the few persons that the then Crown Prince had talked to numerous times on his mobile phone before the final fateful moment.

The report clearly states that Debyani Rana of Maharajgunj, was the one to phone the Crown Prince’s ADCs Gajendra Bohora and Raju Karki reporting that the then Crown Prince might be "somewhat unwell," furthermore linking the fact that she might have guessed what the then Crown Prince was up to.

Furthermore, the report has kept one guessing if it was really Crown Prince Dipendra who shot himself.

"The shot was from the left side," said Speaker Ranabhat, ignoring questions how the right-handed then Crown Prince could use his left hand to pull the trigger on himself from the 9mm caliber Glock Ges. Pistol.

Likewise, there are doubts if the post-mortem on the dead bodies of the Royal Family did ever take place. Even more, who was the "female figure in red sari" who was seen "giving chase" in the direction of the then Crown Prince who had "moved back towards the inner garden to the east after firing indiscriminately at the billiard hall a third time."

Don’t question the probe, say leaders

Post Report

KATHMANDU, June 14 – While the leaders of two major parties declined to make any comment, leaders of the two other major parties urged the people not to question the impartiality of the high-level committee formed to investigate the June 1 incident.

The committee report says that it was the then Crown Prince Dipendra who shot nine Royal Family members before killing himself.

The latter also said that the committee had done a fine job within its mandate and no one should question it.

Former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba said, "There is now no doubt that it was the Crown Prince who was behind this incident." Deuba further said that no one should question the committee’s work. "I urge all the Nepalis to come together at this hour to work for the betterment of multi-party democracy and the constitutional monarchy."

Hridyesh Tripathi, the General Secretary of the Nepal Sadbhavana Party said that the committee had done its job as per the mandate given to it. The committee had not given its own opinion in the report nor was asked to. "It has just kept the facts as it received as it is."

Dr Prakash C Lohani, the Vice President of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party declined to make any comment. However, he added that his party would hold a meeting tomorrow and come up with an official comment.

Similarly, senior leaders of the main opposition the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) said that the party would first study the report before making any official comments.

The leader of the opposition and General Secretary of the party had previously withdrawn from the probe committee, citing faults in the procedure in the formation of the committee that was formed by King Gyanendra on June 4.

However, when there was all-round criticism of the move, Nepal clarified that his party supported the committee and had also said that it would support the finding of the committee.

When asked to comment on the report, most of the people refused to express any reaction. A significant level of fear was apparent. Most also pleaded that they be not asked any questions on the report.

However, a variety of comments were made by those who did speak. Some like Krishna Ojha of Satdobato, Lalitpur said that there was no ground to suspect the impartiality of the committee. Since the CJ and the Speaker had prepared the report, we have to accept it whether or not the report is complete, said Ojha.

Ram Krishna Shrestha of Jawalakhel, Lalitpur termed the report "incomplete and unclear" and added that he did not want to make any further comment.

There were also those who said that "the report was a sham". "It has not answered many of the questions," said a school teacher. Another man said that the "whole thing was prejudiced against Prince Dipendra."

The committee, with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Speaker of the House of Representatives as its two members, has come with the finding that the then Crown Prince was the killer.

Late King Dipendra’s ‘katto’ ceremony over

By Razen Manandhar

KATHMANDU, June 14 - It was not an ordinary meal. What the 65-year-old Brahman from Sindhupalchok, Devi Prasad Acharya, had Thursday morning was offered to him as part of the 11th day ritual of the late King Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, who passed away two days after the June 1 shootout at the Royal Palace.

As officials prepared for the salvation of the late King’s soul Thursday, a tent was put up at the historic Kalmochan Ghat, in which there was a praying room, a bed room, a living room and a store room. And all this was prepared especially for the "pure" Brahman for the 11th day ritual. The gift is called Shainya Dan while the meal is called katto, which is considered impure.

After the Brahman ate the 84 delicacies or "Katto of Late King Dipendra’", he was placed on a colorfully-decorated elephant, which crossed the Bagmati River and headed towards the Kattepati in Lalitpur district never to return again. It is widely believed that the ritual symbolises exorcising the ghost of the departed soul and, by doing so, the Brahman helps towards the salvation of the dead king’s soul.

Watched by hundreds of government staff, media persons, Acharya sat on the wooden "pirka" and devoured everything served to him in silver plates. For about 20 minutes, he neither looked around the people nor did he react on the taste of the dishes.

A permanent resident of Sangachaur, Sindhupalchock, Acharya has been living at Bhuwaneshowri, near Pashupatinath temple with his wife, a son and two daughters until today. However, according to traditions, he is not supposed to return to the Valley again.

It has been a tradition that the one who partakes the katto also wins "sufficient amount of cash", gold ornaments, silverwares, bedding, living room furniture, cupboard with dresses, kitchen utensils and staple food enough to feed one family for a month or so.

Still, Acharya was not happy. He demanded housing facility to the Prime Minister who was present at the moment. The Prime Minister replied, "That will be managed soon."

Then he was clothed as the dead king himself, given a mock crown, with all the king’s ornaments, shoes as well as the sunglasses before placing him on an elephant that was also going to be his.

Acharya’s son, Sujit Acharya, a school dropout said, while collecting his father’s property, "It was my father’s wish to eat katto. He discussed with us about it yesterday."

Though it is so alluring ritual, people hardly become ready to concede to the gift given in the name of a dead king. The officials said that one Bharat Sapkota was elected earlier but he later rejected the proposal Wednesday evening. "It is difficult to find a katto-partaking Brahmin," he said.

The people watching the ritual said the Brahmin was hated because, he accepted a dead person’s possessions and there was a custom of adding some "unwanted material" in the meal. The Brahmins themselves are not sure whether anything like that is practised today or not.

However, the people living in the Ghat said that quite a many people try hard to win the "lottery" and any poor person would feel himself lucky to score such a treasure and respect. "They only pretend because this is the time when all of their demands are fulfilled," a woman said there.

Cultural expert Hariram Joshi said that feeding katto is a Hindu convention, performed expecting the dead person’s eternal freedom from this world. "This is a ritual which might be associated with the Aghor cult of Shaivaism. However, it is nowadays performed only symbolically," he said.

On the same day, the 11th day rituals were also held for Dhirendra Shah, the late King’s uncle, who died following the same incident.

Media asked to disseminate correct news

Post Report

KATHMANDU, June 14 - Minister for Information and Communication Shiv Raj Joshi today said that the government was ready to assist the media in any way possible and was hopeful that the media would not disseminate false and premeditated informations.

"The public got confused by the news arising out of the Palace incident, and we experienced that the media even exaggerated the incident," Joshi told reporters. "Some exaggeration can influence and aggravate the situation."

Joshi’s statement comes at a time when there has been allegation of misinformation and exaggeration in some media, especially Indian television news channels, during the post June 1 Royal Palace massacre reporting.

"The stability of this country, parliamentary system, peace in the country, security and development are indispensable. Positive thinking and dissemination of correct information will help us contain the situation in the country," Joshi said.

In his brief briefing to the press, Minister Joshi said since the King, in his proclamation to the nation, had expressed his commitment towards continuation of constitutional democracy and multi-party system in the country, the system of governance remain rooted in this country as per the aspirations of the King.

Last week, mourning for the loss of the Royal Family had turned into rioting in some quarters that resulted in deaths of at least two protestors and dozens of injuries, many to police bullets and batons.