High level commission summons royal ministers in Nepal

Kathmandu, June 29 (UNI) A High Level Probe Commission in Nepal, set up to investigate misuse of power, position and funds during the movement against the King in April, has summoned royal ministers and a former chief of army staff for ''preliminary interrogation''.

The Commission said former Chief of the Army Staff General Satchit Shumsher Rana, former minister of the erstwhile Royal Regime Niranjan Thapa and suspended Additional Inspector General of the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force Krishna Basnet and Rabiraj Thapa have been called for ''interrogation.'' They have been asked to be present at the Commission's office tomorrow.

''You are asked to be present at the office of the Commission because your explanations are required about complaints regarding your involvement in suppression of the movement,'' the Commission said in the letter sent to them.

The Commission has already started the interrogation of three former ministers including vice-chairman of the council of ministers Dr Tulsi Giri.

At least 21 persons including an Indian national were killed and more than 5,000 injured most of them during the movement against the King.

UNI XC PA KN1124