Former king set to arrive in Biratnagar

Himalayan News Service

BIRATNAGAR: Former King Gyanendra Shah is visiting Biratnagar tomorrow to inaugurate a religious festival.

Organising a press meet here, Rameshwor Thapa, who is considered close to Shah, said the former king would attend the religious function of Ganapati Festival Committee as a commoner.

During his five-hour stay, the former king is scheduled to meet former ministers and organise a press meet.

Issuing a press release, Rastriya Prjatantra Party-Nepal’s district chapter has urged the party cadres to reach the airport to welcome the former king tomorrow morning.

According to Bishwomohan Thapa, chairman, RPP-Nepal Morang, Shah will visit local temples and return to Kathmandu in the afternoon.

Some central leaders of RPP-Nepal and Shah’s former ADCs have arrived here to make preparations for the visit.

Meanwhile, the UCPN-Maoist plans to protest Shah’s Biratnagar visit. “We will move ahead as per the direction from the centre,” said Ganesh Upreti, Maoist district assistant in-charge.

Upreti said the former king had been conspiring against democracy in the name of religious tour. “Therefore, we all should protest it,” added Upreti.

Morang SP Deepak Thapa said security in the area has been beefed up considering Shah’s visit.

“It is our duty to provide security to all,” the SP maintained.