Nepal govt takes control of Narayanhiti palace
Nepal govt took control of the sprawling Narayanhiti palace situated along with valuables including a diamond-studded crown.
By PTI |
KATHMANDU: Nepal government on Thursday took control of the sprawling Narayanhiti palace situated in the heart of Kathmandu along with valuables including a diamond-studded crown, a day after ousted King Gyanendra vacated the royal property and moved to a forest bungalow to lead a civilian life.
Government officials were busy auditing items in the palace as it will be converted into a museum, said Govind Kusum, a senior official heading the team to assess the royal assets.
The former King left for Nagarjun forest bungalow last night, a day before the expiry of the 15-day deadline set by the newly-elected Maoists-dominated Constituent Assembly for him to vacate the palace.
Before leaving the palace, the ex-King said in an emotion-charged address to the nation that he had accepted the Constituent Assembly's decision to declare the country a republic and abolish the 240-year-old monarchy.
Handing over the crown and scepter, Gyanendra said that the valuables should be well protected.
Some people chanted pro-King slogans while others against the deposed monarch when he left the palace accompanied by wife Komal.
The royal couple was escorted by the riot police and army personnel as they moved to Nagarjun, a summer retreat on a forest hill seven kms west of the capital.
The government has agreed to provide temporary accommodation to Gyanendra at the smaller Nagarjun bungalow, which belonged to the royal family before it was nationalised last year.
The former King's stepmother Ratna and grandmother Sarala have been provided two separate buildings within the Narayanhiti palace complex.
Government officials were busy auditing items in the palace as it will be converted into a museum, said Govind Kusum, a senior official heading the team to assess the royal assets.
The former King left for Nagarjun forest bungalow last night, a day before the expiry of the 15-day deadline set by the newly-elected Maoists-dominated Constituent Assembly for him to vacate the palace.
Before leaving the palace, the ex-King said in an emotion-charged address to the nation that he had accepted the Constituent Assembly's decision to declare the country a republic and abolish the 240-year-old monarchy.
Handing over the crown and scepter, Gyanendra said that the valuables should be well protected.
Some people chanted pro-King slogans while others against the deposed monarch when he left the palace accompanied by wife Komal.
ADVERTISEMENT
The royal couple was escorted by the riot police and army personnel as they moved to Nagarjun, a summer retreat on a forest hill seven kms west of the capital.
The government has agreed to provide temporary accommodation to Gyanendra at the smaller Nagarjun bungalow, which belonged to the royal family before it was nationalised last year.
The former King's stepmother Ratna and grandmother Sarala have been provided two separate buildings within the Narayanhiti palace complex.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
