Kathmandu, June 18: An internal palace study for possible security lapses that led to a carnage at Narayanhiti killing or injuring 14 royal family members or relatives, including King Birendra and Queen Aishrawya, will submit its report to King Gyanendra either “today or tomorrow,” a source close to the probe told Nepalnews Monday. The five member probe in headed by Gen. Shanta Kumar Malla, who retired as Principal Military Secretary to King Birendra more than a year ago. He is now Honorary ADC. “Such an incident has never happened and will never happen,” a source said.
The new King ordered a thorough probe of the incident and asked for a report soon after a two man commission headed by Chief Justice Kesvab Prasad Upadhaya concluded last week Crown Prince Dipendra started the carnage at a regular monthly family party. The other member of the commission, Speaker of the House of Representatives Taranath Ranabhatt has come under fire in the media for the jocular manner in which he handled the news conference Thursday while revealing the serious nature of the details of the report. Gen. Malla is a trusted palace confidante and aide.
The government of Prime Minister Girija Prasad has sought separate recommendations from a high level committee of government secretaries headed by Chief Secretary Tirtha Sakya. They are also expected to present their report this week to the goverment. Internal palace security is the sole responsibility of two battalions of Royal Security Military Police and the unit of ADCs. The report suggests members of the royal family have easy access to weapons in the Royal Nepal Army and Palace armoury.
For the first time Monday, all royal palace officials are on alert inside the Nayayanhiti after the June 1 shoot-out, a source said; the palace was in a state of shock trying to recover from the tragedy. Government offices also reopened Monday after a 13 day national mourning that ended Saturday.
Meanwhile, Nepal is still without a Crown Prince. King Gyanendra conferred the title of Queen to his wife, Princess Komal, but has not given any new title to his only son, Prince Paras. A section of society, especially Maoists fighting for a communist in Nepal, still allege a conspiracy despite the publication of the Upadhaya commission report.