Royal couple attends Indrajatra function; ministers ‘boycott’

September 6, 2006
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King Gyanendra and Queen Komal attended the chariot procession organised on the occasion of Indrajatra festival at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square in Kathmandu Wednesday with nobody from the Koirala cabinet showing up to welcome them.

King Gyanendra and Queen Komal wave to the crowd assembled to witness the chariot procession of Kumari, the living Goddess, on the occasion of Indrajatra at Hanuman Dhoka, Kathmandu, on Wednesday. nepalnews.com/rh

King Gyanendra and Queen Komal wave to the crowd assembled to witness the…
The royal couple stayed at the function for about 20 minutes. Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Poudel welcomed them when they arrived at Humandhoka Durbar Square in the afternoon.

A group of about 300 people chanted slogans in support of the King and monarchy while another group tried to wave black flags to the royal couple but was dispersed after police intervened. Eyewitnesses said at least four persons who “tried to create disturbance” in the ceremony were injured when police charged batons on them.

The royal couple’s public appearance coincided with a chakka jam (traffic strike) called by the Maoists in the Kathmandu Valley. The Maoists organised the fourth convention of their trade union, All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), at the Khula Manch.

King Gyanendra’s public appearances have become rare after he relinquished power in April this year following a 19-day people’s movement. His first public appearance after the restoration of democracy was in Patan on the occasion of a religious festival few weeks earlier.