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Former Nepali king addresses country

Nepal’s deposed King Gyanendra vowed yesterday not to flee the country but to stay on and work for the good of its people.

“I have assisted in and respected the verdict of the people,” Gyanendra said, addressing his first-ever press conference at the Narayanhity royal palace in Kathmandu, which he was scheduled to leave later yesterday.

“I have no intention of leaving the country and will stay in Nepal and contribute to the independence and prosperity of the Nepali nation,” he said.

A specially elected assembly voted overwhelmingly to abolish the 239-year-old monarchy two weeks ago and ordered Gyanendra out of his palace and into an old royal hunting lodge just outside the capital.

Gyanendra, looking composed in a traditional white, black and red Nepali cap and black jacket, as he sat in a chair surrounded by hunting trophies — two stuffed tigers and rhino head — said he had already handed over the diamond and ruby-studded crown and a ceremonial scepter to the government.

The comments were the first from Gyanendra since Nepal was declared a republic on May 28.

Gyanendra used the address to dismiss reports that he had amassed a huge fortune, as well as the widely held view in Nepal that he was linked to a palace massacre in 2001 that led to his coronation.

“In 2001 I did not even get to mourn the deaths of my brother and sister-in-law and my nephews and nieces,” he said. “The accusations that were targeted against us were inhuman.”

Gyanendra ascended the throne in June 2001 after the massacre, in which the crown prince — who was drunk and on drugs and furious at being prevented from marrying the woman he loved — killed most of the family and himself.

Many Nepalese, however, believe Gyanendra was linked to the killings.

“There was also an accusation that I have lots of property and money abroad. All my properties are in Nepal. All the properties I have are nationalized. In the last seven years I have not gathered any money or property,” he said.

Earlier, more than 100 people had gathered outside the venue of the constituent assembly meeting to demand Gyanendra not be allowed to live at the hunting lodge.

“Give alms, not palace, to the beggar,” some placards read.

In a counter-demonstration, however, around 300 people demanded that Nepal, officially a secular state since 2006, be made a Hindu nation once again.
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