Nepali PM calls for new probe in royal massacre

KATHMANDU, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Nepali Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Wednesday said a fresh probe into the royal massacre was a must to unearth the real causes, local newspaper The Himalayan Times reported Thursday.

His remarks followed his maiden visit to Narayanhiti Museum after he assumed the premiership on May 25.

The massacre had occurred on June 1, 2001. The former ruling coalition headed by the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) on Feb. 28, 2009 once agreed to institute a fresh probe into the tragedy in which king Birendra and his entire family were gunned down in the tightly guarded royal palace.

Talking to media persons after observing Narayanhiti Museum, Prime Minister M.K. Nepal said, "A new probe into the royal massacre should be initiated. But, at present, my priority is to draft the country's new statute on time."

The Prime Minister also directed Finance Minister Surendra Pandey to rebuild the Tribhuvan Sadan, the site of massacre. Ex-king Gyanendra had dismantled the Tribhuvan Sadan allegedly "to destroy the massacre evidence."

"The Tribhuvan Sadan should be rebuilt and the finance minister should do the needful," Prime Minister Nepal said.

Nepal was accompanied by Home Minister Bhim Rawal, Finance Minister Surendra Pandey, Minister for Culture Minendra Rijal, Chief Secretary Bhoj Raj Ghimire and other high-ranking government officials.

Pandey said he would instantly take necessary steps for the reconstruction of the historic building.

The Prime Minister spent more than an hour in the Museum. Of 108 rooms in the former royal palace, only 19 are open to public. Culture Minister Minendra Rijal directed the museum officials to open the hitherto closed rooms.