HLPC implicates king
Murder charge against Kamal Thapa


BY GHANASHYAM OJHA


KATHMANDU, Nov 15 - The High Level Probe Commission (HLPC) is implicating King Gyanendra in the atrocities committed during the April movement and embezzlement of state resources.
A source at the commission said the king, as then Chairman of the Council of Ministers, should take the responsibility for atrocities committed during the movement. However, the commission, in its probe report to be submitted on November 17, hasn't recommended any action against the king.

"Since he is still the head of state it is difficult practically to recommend action against the king," the source said. "But the final report will clearly mention the king as being responsible for the atrocities."

The five-member commission, headed by former justice of the Supreme Court Krishna Jung Rayamajhi, has also recommended strong action, including criminal charges and charges of embezzlement of state funds against key figures in the royal regime.

The source said the commission has recommended murder charges against Kamal Thapa, the then home minister. "Thapa was found provoking security personnel in killing pro-democracy activists," the source said. "He has been held responsible mainly for the killings in Dang and Kailai districts, where people said security personnel opened fire under his direct order." Besides, he will also be charged with the embezzlement of state funds.

Similarly, the commission has recommended corruption charges against former vice-chairmen Dr Tulsi Giri and Kirti Nidhi Bista and ministers Tanka Dhakal, Sris Shumshere Rana and Badri Mandal.

"The commission is still working on the types of action to be recommended for the guilty persons," the source said. "The commission has to be very much cautious in recommending action, so that the guilty cannot escape punishment."

So far as action against the chiefs of the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department is concerned, the source said the commission is still studying the security-related laws. "The commission will definitely recommend strong action, on charges ranging from murder to corruption, against the chiefs of the security wings. But the commission is yet to reach a conclusion regarding the types to recommendations against the various security chiefs," the source said.

The commission, formed in May 2006 immediately after the success of the April movement, had interrogated 296 persons. And it has prepared recommendations for necessary action against about 200 persons, holding them responsible for atrocities committed during the April movement in which 19 people were killed and over 5,000 injured.

source: kantipuronline.com