Nepal mourning turns to violence, curfew declared

The slain king's brother Gyanendra assumes the throne as mystery still shrouds the royal murders

By staff and wire reports

KATHMANDU, Nepal -- The Nepalese government has declared a curfew in the capital Kathmandu as angry mourners demand an explanation to Friday's massacre that left nine royals dead.

Security forces have been given orders to shoot troublemakers on sight, CNN's Kasra Naji reports.

Police fired tear gas as crowds filled the capital and snarled traffic. At least four people were slightly injured when they were hit by tear gas shells, hospital doctors said.

Prince Gyanendra, brother to slain King Birendra, took the throne Monday just hours after royal heir and murder suspect Prince Dipendra died.

Dipendra reportedly shot dead family members over a dispute on his choice of bride and a plan to return the country to monarchial rule, before turning the gun on himself.

AUDIO CNN's Kasra Naji says troops have encircled Nepal's royal palace to protect newly crowned King Gyanendra, as violence breaks out across the city 929 KB/1 min 26 sec. AIFF or WAV sound    VIDEO Nepal announces the killings were an accident. CNN's Kasra Naji reports some are skeptical (June 3) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Thousands of mourners bid farewell to the Royal Family of Nepal who were murdered friday. CNN's Kasra Naji reports (June 2) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     GALLERY Scenes from the succession     COUNTRY PROFILE At a glance: Nepal Provided by CountryWatch.com     ALSO Nepal's 48-hour king dies after royal massacre Kasra Naji: Clan rivalry may have sparked royal killings Nepal: Pope leads world shock India-Nepal border sealed after royal killings Report paints picture of prince's drunken rampage Nepal's royal family; revered and reserved

Thousands lined the path of a somber royal procession as King Gyanendra, who was earlier named caretaker king while Dipendra lay in a coma, rode in a horse-drawn carriage.

He proceeded from one palace, where he was enthroned, to another that will be his official residence -- the scene of the killings that left this impoverished Himalayan nation stunned and searching for answers.

Many refused to believe that Crown Prince Dipendra -- technically king for a weekend -- had killed his family and then himself, as officials privately say.

Others were incredulous at new King Gyanendra's assertion that the deaths were a freak "accident."

Respect

There was hardly any applause, and few people along the route clasped their hands together in the traditional Hindu greeting of respect when their new monarch passed.

As Gyanendra arrived at the residential palace, a lone supporter shouted, "Long live the king," but he got no response from the crowd.

Appearing at a palace enthronement ceremony, his head shaven in a traditional show of respect for the dead, Gyanendra sat on his throne, wearing a crown topped with a large cream-colored plume.

He issued a statement promising the Nepalese people a full explanation of the palace killings.

The bodies of King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya and other royal family members killed have been cremated.

Dipendra, who died of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, will be buried later Monday.

Dipendra spent his entire reign of less than 48 hours in a coma. His condition worsened considerably over the weekend, but it was not known whether his life support had been turned off.

Massacre remains a puzzle

But the debate continues to rage in Nepal over the varying accounts of what happened in the royal dining room, as the government remains tight-lipped over the circumstances surrounding the massacre.

"According to the information received by us [they] were seriously injured in an accidental firing from an automatic weapon," Gyanendra is quoted as saying in a statement broadcast on state radio Sunday.

Rana has reportedly fled Kathmandu, fearing for her safety

Gyanendra's statement did not make clear who was holding the gun at the time of the shooting.

Military sources at the palace told The Associated Press the prince had turned against his family because his mother did not approve of a young woman, Devyani Rana, as his choice of bride.

The Hindustan Times said a shocked Devyani Rana, fearing for her safety, left Kathmandu late on Saturday on a flight to New Delhi, India. Other reports Monday said Rana remained in Nepal but had left Kathmandu.

The dead include King Birendra, 55, Queen Aishwarya, 51, Dipendra's sister Princess Shruti, 24, his brother Prince Nirajan, 22, and six others.

The Horizon newspaper said yesterday 40 bullets had been taken from the bodies of both Prince Nirajan and King Birendra.

Political conspiracy

Other theories circulating include one that Dipendra killed his family over a disagreement on the future of the role of the royal family.

In 1990, King Birendra agreed to take a constitutional role in the wake of a popular movement that introduced parliamentary democracy.

But his son was suspected of pushing to return Nepal to an absolute monarchy system.

One newspaper reported that Maoist rebels, who want to topple the constitutional monarchy, pointed to a "grave political conspiracy," rejecting the idea a lovestruck prince killed the royal family.

The Kathmandu Post, an independent English-language daily, carried a statement signed by Prachanda, the president of the underground CPN-Maoist party, calling the shootings a "pre-planned massacre" that would end Nepal's present political system.

Monarchs have little formal power in Nepal, but public criticism is taboo.

The Associated Press & Reuters contributed to this report.