Late King Birendra's birthday not celebrated in Nepal

Kathmandu, Dec 29 (UNI) Late King Birendra Shah Dev's birthday was not celebrated in the Himalayan Kingdom today, even as the country is debating over the future of monarchy.

Unlike the previous years, the birthday of the Nepal's most popular Shah dynasty monarch, King Birendra, was not celebrated this year. No one went to pay homage to his statue at the Jawalakhel this evening.

''Due to the dictatorship of the present king people are forgetting the contribution of shah dynasty,'' a resident of Jawalakhel Hari Parajuli told UNI adding that no one, not even the Royalist gathered to celebrate the birthday.

King Birendra, his family members and other royal members were assassinated on June 1,2001.

The direct rule of King Gyanendra ended, following the popular movement in April where tens of thousands of people came to the streets across the country, demanding the end of monarchy in the country.

UNI XC SI HS1952