Gyanendra faces 'action' for atrocity

Kathmandu: The high-level probe commission (HPCL), formed to inquire into the atrocities committed to suppress the pro-democracy movement in Nepal, held King Gyanendra responsible for the shooting and killing of protesters.

"The report has suggested that the government take action against Gyanendra, not in his capacity as the king, but as the then Head of State," local daily Kantipur said.

"The report has held the entire erstwhile Council of Ministers under the chairmanship of the King responsible for the destruction of life and property and the abuse of national coffer and authority, which ensued during the suppression of the Janaandolan II," Kantipur quoted a commission member as saying.

The commission, formed in May, submitted its report to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at his official residence, Baluwatar.

Though the report has not been made public so far, it is said the commission has recommended initiation of action against those who were involved in the suppression of the popular movement in April that forced King Gyanendra to restore Parliament and give up power to the political parties.

Receiving the report, Koirala assured that the recommendations of the report will be implemented and the guilty punished.

"We have recommended actions against everyone guilty," Chairman of the commission Krishna Jung Rayamajhi said. The report was as per the people's aspirations, he said.

The five-member commission was headed by former justice of the Supreme Court Krishna Jung Rayamajhi. Two members of the commission, Ramkumar Shrestha and Kiran Shrestha, did not sign the report citing differences with other members. Action should be taken against all including the king, they said.

The commission had recommended action against more than 200 people for their involvement in the movement. The Commission had also sent questions to the King on his actions during the pro-democracy demonstration across the country but he had not replied.

This is for the first time in the history of Nepal that the King was questioned by a commission.