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Deposed Nepali monarch requests help for new home

Nepal’s deposed monarch is willing to leave his pink-hued palace quietly to begin life as a commoner, but wants help with housing and protection for his family, state-run media reported yesterday.

“The king has expressed his wish to respect the constituent assembly’s historic decision and make a peaceful exit,” said Pradeep Aryal, secretary at the now-dissolved Narayanhiti Palace secretariat, the Rising Nepal newspaper reported.

Aryal made the comment after the palace received a letter on Friday formally asking the unpopular ex-monarch to leave for a private residence within two weeks, in line with the newly elected assembly’s vote on Wednesday.

The body, which will rewrite the Himalayan country’s Constitution, abolished the 240-year-old Hindu monarchy in a near-unanimous vote and transformed Nepal into a republic — capping a peace process that ended a decade-long civil war.

Some 13,000 people were killed in the insurgency launched by the Maoists in 1996 to install a communist republic in the world’s only Hindu kingdom.

All eyes have been on the king since then, who is still holed up in his heavily-guarded sprawling palace in the heart of the city and has issued no statement, but is reported by royal watchers to be packing his bags.

The government has asked the king to coordinate his departure with them so they can take “appropriate measures” for his security, the report said.

But the king is apparently being hampered in his move by what to do with his mother Ratna and 94-year-old great-grandmother Sarala, the state-run daily said.

Gyanendra, who as king was revered by devout Hindus as the incarnation of a god, has suggested it might be easier for him to leave if authorities can provide security and housing for them, the paper added.

The royal palace is still guarded by some 1,500 soldiers but Nepal’s army — seen as a bastion of royalists — has said it will comply with any government orders to withdraw the security cover.

The ousted king may also have to look for housing for himself, with his private residence occupied by former crown Prince Paras, who is said to be on poor terms with his deposed father.
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