Kathmandu, June 7: Shocked mourners flocked to the Narayanhiti palace Thursday to pay floral tributes to 10 members of the royal family killed in a shoot-out within the palace premises last Friday, including King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya. Six days after a shoot-out that killed or injured 14 royals and their immediate relatives, young, old and even children with parents wept, prayed or stood in silence before portraits of the royal family members at the south gate of Narayanhiti.
Flowers were piling up at the portraits of the royal family in front of late King Mahendra’s statue at Durbar Marg as well. “Nirajan! We will Miss You,” a note left on top of the piling flowers read. Nirajan is the second son of late King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya.
Eldest son Crown Prince Dipendra started the shoot-out, witnesses said. Dipendra, who was declared King after the death of his father, never recovered from gunshot wounds received during the carnage. Men and women in two rows and 200 feet deep waited for two hours to sign the condolence book at the palace as it opened at 11 AM.
“It is so sad. I have been waiting here since nine o’clock to sign the book,” said Prem Kumari Pant as she held a bouquet.Florists were doing brisk business.”I normally sell 2000 sticks of gladiolas a day. Now I am selling 4000 sticks,” said florist wholesaler, Sharad Neupane selling flowers along Durbar Marg.
“We have received 75 percent tourist cancellations. Many who here are also leaving,” said a tour executive of the Yeti Travels, Nepal’s biggest tour operator. The streets were quiet and normal Thursday with movement of people and vehicles normal.