Standing Committee Meet
UML positive towards panel's report

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, June 16: The two-day Standing Committee meeting of the CPN-UML today said that the party has taken positively the high-level committee’s role in bringing out to the public its findings on the Royal Palace incident of June 1.

His Majesty King Gyanendra had formed the 3-member high level committee led by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya to look into the tragic incident, in which ten members of the Royal Family, including Their Majesties King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya, passed away. His Majesty the King had initially named Speaker of the House of Representatives Taranath Ranabhat and Madhav Kumar Nepal, leader of the main Opposition party in the Parliament as members of the Committee. But Nepal resigned from the committee citing his party’s reservation about his nomination to the committee, but saying it would extend its full cooperation to the committee. The committee submitted its report to the King on June 14.

"The party has taken positively the role of the high level committee for its work to bring out the facts at one level investigating within a limited terms of reference." The party, however, has shown reservations saying ‘the Committee has not given a concrete analytical conclusion about the incident’.

The UML meeting, chaired by its General Secretary Nepal, has said the incident of June 1 is not only a matter of concern for the Royal Family and the Royal Palace but also of all the Nepalese people as well as internationally.

"Our party has taken the incident very seriously in the context of the present national and international situation. All the political parties and the general public should also take it seriously," the party said in a press release.

Saying that His Majesty the King had directed the government to immediately inform the public about the incident and take necessary action on the issues mentioned in the Report according to the Constitution and the law of the country, the party has demanded the government to proceed with determination to fulfill its responsibility accordingly.

The party has accused the government for failing to play an effective role during and in the aftermath of the incident. "The government remained as helpless and a silent spectator. The Prime Minister’s explanation to the Committee also shows this."

Referring to the content of the Report, the party has also said that the party’s attention has been drawn to security lapses inside the Narayanhity Royal Palace. The party has urged the government to ensure security of the Royal Palace according to the spirit of the Constitutional monarchy and to make the social norms timely.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), the third largest party in the Parliament, on Friday expressed its satisfaction over the ability of the investigation committee. The RPP has called all the political parties and the civil society to remain alert against elements seeking to take advantage of this moment of grief and crisis and spread instability and lawlessness.

But the smaller Left parties have expressed their reservations about the Report. CPN-ML said the Report has not come as an "actual investigation report".

Likewise, the United People’s Front, CPN-Masal and CPN-Unity Centre in their separate reactions have called the Report as ‘premeditated and superficial’.

GC Board adopts condolence resolution

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, June 16: The Board of Directors of Gorkhapatra Corporation (GC) in its meeting on Friday adopted a resolution of condolence over the sad demise of His Majesty King Birendra, Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya, the then Crown Prince Dipendra, HRH Prince Nirajan, HRH Princess Shruti and other Royal Family members and relatives.

The resolution stated that the Gorkhapatra family along with the people of the whole country have been grieved and distressed by the demise of His Majesty King Birendra, the symbol of national unity, source of inspiration of Nepal and the Nepalese people and lover of development and people, and Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya, the prominent figure of social service and women awareness movement and the ocean of compassion, along with other Royal Family members and relatives in an unbelievable, unimaginable, and heart-rending incident of the June 1st. Jestha 19).

It also expressed the same for the untimely demise of His Majesty King Dipendra on June 4 (Jestha 22).

"We pay our heartfelt tributes to Their Majesties and pray to Lord Pashupatinath for the eternal peace of the departed souls," it further stated.

The resolution also prayed to Lord Pashupatinath for bestowing enough strength to all to cope with this immense tragedy.

Various organisations mourn sad demise
Condolence meeting at various places

Kathmandu, June 16 (RSS): Reports of condolence meetings being held by various organisations to mourn the sad and untimely demise of His Majesty King Birendra, Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya and His Majesty King Dipendra have been received here.

The Hariaun-Kathmandu Society paid emotional tributes to Their late Majesties the King and Queen, His late Majesty King Dipendra and other deceased members of the Royal Family at a condolence meeting today.

The society observed a minute of silence praying for the eternal peace to the departed souls.

Butwal: Artists’ Association of Nepal Butwal Branch organised a condolence meeting here Friday, praying for eternal peace to the departed souls of His Majesty King Birendra, Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya and other members of the Royal Family.

At the meeting, the portraits of Their late Majesties the King and Queen and other deceased members of the Royal Family were garlanded and two-minute silence was also observed in their memory.

Similarly, a condolence meeting was held by the Bol Bam Dham at local Parroha praying for the eternal peace to the departed souls of Their Majesties the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family. Two hundred thousand oil-fed lamps were also lighted on the occasion.

Likewise, the Amnesty International Group-12 Butwal has expressed deep sorrow at the sad demise of Their Majesties the King and Queen, His Majesty King Dipendra and other members of the Royal Palace and adopted a condolence resolution.

Bhaktapur: The Nepali Congress Bhaktapur district working committee held a condolence meeting today on the 13th day of the demise of His Majesty King Birendra, Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya, His Majesty King Dipendra and other members of the Royal Family.

At the meeting, bouquets were offered at the portraits of Their late Majesties the King and Queen and one-minute silence was also observed, praying for the eternal peace to the departed souls.

Speaking on the occasion, Nepali Congress central member and former minister Bimalendra Nidhi extolled on the role of Shah Kings in the unification of Nepal and its modernisation.

He said the passing away of His Majesty King Birendra, Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya, His Majesty King Dipendra and other members of the Royal Family has left a big void in national life.

MP Lekhnath Neupane and former central president of Nepal Students’ Union Gyanendra Bahadur Karki also expressed their views on the occasion.

Nepali Congress Bhaktapur district working committee president Radheshyam Jonchhe presided.

Janakpurdham: A meeting of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Dhanusha district unit today offered heartfelt condolences to Their late Majesties the King and Queen, His late Majesty King Dipendra and other deceased members of the Royal Family.

Similarly, the statue of His late Majesty King Birendra at zero mile of Janakpurdham was garlanded at the initiatives of RPP Dhanusha. A minute of silence was also observed on the occasion.

Chautara: A meeting recently of local Jethal VDC observed a one-minute silence in memory of His Majesty King Birendra, Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya, His Majesty King Dipendra and other members of the Royal Family.

The meeting also prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.

Pokhara: A condolence meeting was held at the local Dipendra Meeting Hall in Pokhara at the initiatives of Pokhara Sub-metropolitan City to offer heartfelt tributes to Their late Majesties the King and Queen, His late Majesty King Dipendra and other departed members of the Royal Family.

Speaking on the occasion, National Assembly member Sukra Raj Sharma called for restraint and caution on the part of the countrymen at a time when the entire nation is plunged into sorrow.

Member of the Raj Parishad Ganesh Bahadur Gurung also stressed the need for restraint to bear the national tragedy.

From the chair, mayor Krishna Thapa spoke of the need to change sorrow into strength and move ahead on the path of development.

Earlier, local people’s representatives, politicians, intellectuals, chiefs of local government offices, civil servants, industrialists and businessmen offered floral tributes to Their late Majesties.

The meeting also prayed for the eternal peace to the departed souls.

Similarly, the Tamu Dhi Kaski also organised a condolence meeting and a silent march to mourn the sad demise of Their Majesties the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family.

Meanwhile, a meeting of Nepal Leprosy Relief Association Kaski District branch adopted a condolence resolution, expressing deep condolences to Their late Majesties the King and Queen. The meeting also observed one-minute silence on the occasion.

Similarly, the Adarsha Kala Kendra at local Naya Bazaar also held a condolence meeting today to mourn the sad demise of Their late Majesties the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family.

Likewise, the Gupteshwar Mahadev Cave Management Committee, Pokhara, held the 13th day purification rituals of His late Majesty King Birendra, Her Late Majesty Queen Aishwarya, His late Majesty King Dipendra and other deceased members of the Royal Family at the cave premises today.

On the occasion, Brahmin priests read out religious hymns from the Vedas and made the offerings.

Chief District Officer Narendra Raj Poudel was also present on the occasion. A two-minute silence was observed in memory of Their late Majesties the King and Queen.

Similarly, the Shanti Tol Environment and Social Service Committee, Birauta, also held a condolence meeting today to pay tributes to Their late Majesties the King and Queen.

The meeting observed one-minute silence, praying for the eternal peace to the departed souls.

Mahottari: The Jaleshwar Municipality board at its meeting today paid heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Their Majesties the King and Queen, His Majesty King Dipendra, His Royal Highness Prince Nirajan and other members of the Royal Family.

The meeting also prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.

Mayor Balkrishna Dhakal presided over the meeting.

Likewise, other organisations extending heartfelt condolences to Their late Majesties the King and Queen are United Trungram Buddhist Foundation, Makwanpur Democratic Society, Chandragiri Youth Club, Moon Shine Boarding School, Dhalko, Mahendra Adarsha Secondary School, Lalitpur, Social Awareness, Nepal, Women Security Pressure Group, School Executives' Forum of Nepal, Pashupati Lal Kediya Peace Foundation, Gyanodaya College, Charkhandi Pilgrimage Conservation Organisation, Sanatan Dharma Sewa Samiti, Dhading, Khadka Bhadrakali VDC, Public Youth Campus, Rudramati Youth Group, Lalitpur Milk Producers' Co-operatives Ltd., Thervada Bouddha Dayak Central Organisation, Pancha Kumari Samaj and Bishalnagar Library, Handigaon, Hariaun Kathmandu Samaj.

Her Majesty recovering

Kathmandu, June 16 (RSS): The health of Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah is making satisfactory and steady progress.

This is stated in a notice issued today by the Principal Press Secretariat of His Majesty the King.

Likewise, the health of Her Royal Highness Princess Shova Rajya Laxmi Devi Shahi, Kumar Gorakh Shumshere Jung Bahadur Rana and Mrs Ketaki Chester continues to improve steadily, according to the physicians.

Rich tributes paid to Their late Majesties

Kathmandu, June 16 (RSS): Balmiki Campus, other Sanskrit campuses, Free Students Union of Balmiki Campus, and Tindhara Sanskrit hostel today jointly organised a religious programme to mark the 13th day after the demise of His Majesty King Birendra, Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya, His Majesty King Dipendra and other Royal Family members who died under tragic circumstances at the Narayanhity Royal Palace on June 1.

Before the programme started, a peace march participated in by the ministers, MPs, other distinguished persons, political leaders, professors, students and representatives of various institutions and organisations was taken out from Balmiki Campus.

The peace marchers passed through Rastriya Sabhagriha, Bhadrakali, Martyrs Gate, Sundhara, Ratna Park, Ranipokhari, Jamal and converged for a meeting on reaching the Tindhara Sanskrit Hostel.

At the meeting, Badaguruju Keshari Raj Pandey, Minister for Information and Communications Shiva Raj Joshi, Rajparishad Standing Committee member Dr. Swami Prapannacharya and other distinguished persons paid homage by offering bouquets of flowers at the portraits of Their late Majesties.

Holy scriptures were recited and purification rites performed at the Mahendra Prayer Mandap at the Tindhara Hostel.

Under the programme, about 150 Brahmins recited Veda, Bishnu Sahastranam, and Durgasaptadsati praying for eternal peace to the departed souls.

On the occasion, 100,000 oil fed lamps were lit at the programme sponsored by Jayatu Sanskritam.

Initiating the purification rites, Badaguruju Pandey said that His late Majesty King Birendra was a religious minded and progressive personality, who always held the view that Hindus across the world should unite.

Meanwhile in Bhaktapur, on the occasion of the 13th day after the sad and untimely demise of the beloved King and Queen, transport entrepreneurs here today paid tributes to Their late Majesties the King and Queen by bringing to a halt all running transport vehicles across the country and lighting their headlights for three minutes.

According to general secretary of Nepal National Transport Entrepreneurs Federation Balaram Twayanabasu, this programme was organised at 12 noon at the initiative of the federation.

All offices associated with the federation were closed yesterday praying for eternal peace to the departed souls of Their late Majesties the King and Queen and other Royal Family members killed in the June 1 incident.

Condolence meet
'Dhirendra Shah had good quility of life'

Kathmandu, June 16 (RSS): Nepal Kyokushin Karate Do Association organised a condolence meeting here today to mark the 13th day after the demise of former Prince Dhirendra Shah who died in the tragic incident at the Narayanhity Royal Palace.

On the occasion, MP Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani said it was his greatness that there was neither resentment nor the feeling of revenge in him after he renounced the Royal title and lived the life of an ordinary citizen.

Central member of the Nepali Congress Arjun Narsingh KC said that the interest shown by the late Shah in various aspects of public life as a member of the Royal Family had helped enhance the glory of monarchy in the country.

CPN-ML politburo member Radha Krishna Mainali said that living a citizen's life in the country even after renouncing the Royal privileges proved that his heart was full of patriotism.

Spokesman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Kamal Thapa, former minister Keshar Bahadur Bishta and former member-secretary of the National Sports Council Sharad Chandra Shaha highlighted the contributions made by the late Dhirendra Shah in the development of sports in the country.

The meeting was chaired by founder president of the Nepal Kyokushin Karate Association Jagat Gauchan.

His Majesty thanks all expressing condolences
13th day rituals performed

Kathmandu, June 17 (RSS): His Majesty the King has thanked all Nepalese and foreigners condoling the sad demise of Their Majesties King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, His Majesty King Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and His Royal Highness Prince Nirajan Bir Bikram Shah through messages or by signing condolence books.

His Majesty has also thanked all in the country as well as abroad paying tributes and praying for eternal peace to the departed souls in their own ways.

According to a notice issued today by the Principal Press Secretariat of His Majesty the King, all those who have placed condolence books in different places to express condolences and pray for eternal peace to the departed souls to send such condolence books to the Narayanhity Royal Palace or to hand in them to the nearest office of the chief district officer.

Meanwhile, the thirteenth day purification ritual of His late Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her late Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah was performed in accordance with Vedic tradition at Narayanhity Royal Palace today.

Similarly, the13th day purification rites of His late Majesty King Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was also performed today at Narayanhity Royal Palace.

Likewise, the 13th day purification ritual of His late Royal Highness Prince Nirajan was also performed today at Narayanhity Royal Palace.

His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Her Majesty Queen Mother Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and other members of the Royal Family attended the rituals.

Also present on the occasion were Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya, Speaker Taranath Ranabhat, Chairman of the National Assembly Dr. Mohammad Mohasin, Chairman of Raj Parishad Standing Committee Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel and the leader of opposition party at the House of Representatives Madhav Kumar Nepal.

Heads of constitutional bodies, the Chief of Army Staff, officials of Royal Palace service as well as His Majesty's Government were also present on the occasion.