Nepal opens palace for royal massacre probe

Nepalese protesters scamper away as police imposed a second curfew Tuesday

By staff and wire reports

KATHMANDU, Nepal -- Nepal's monarchy has opened the doors of its palace to allow an investigation into the fatal shooting of 10 members of its royal family.

The probe aims to quell violent street protests over the lack of official information on the killings, as a second 12-hour curfew was declared Tuesday.

For the first time in its centuries-old history, Nepal will see members and records of the royal family, once considered beyond reproach, subjected to questioning.

The newly proclaimed King Gyanendra has appointed Supreme Court chief justice Keshay Prasad Upadhaya to head a select commission to probe the shooting of King Birendra, the queen and seven other members of the royal family.

AUDIO CNN's Satinder Bindra reports from the streets of Kathmandu 2.28 MB/3.37 min. AIFF or WAV sound 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 CNN's Kasra Naji with the latest on the Nepali Royal family killing Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Prince Gyanendra, brother to slain King Birendra, takes the throne (June 4) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) A march turns violent in the streets of Kathmandu (June 4) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     MESSAGE BOARD Share your thoughts on the unrest in Nepal     GALLERY Scenes from the succession     COUNTRY PROFILE At a glance: Nepal Provided by CountryWatch.com     ALSO Prince Gyanendra: Nepal's king by default Party boy prince 'Dippy' had a sullen streak Kasra Naji: Clan rivalry may have sparked royal killings Nepal's royal family; revered and reserved

Gynanedra was crowned following the death on Monday of his nephew, Crown Prince Dipendra, who was king for three days while lying in a coma.

Dipendra reportedly shot members of the royal family over an argument on his choice of bride and plans to return Nepal to monarchial rule, before turning a gun on himself.

The commission faces the tough challenge of investigating members of a monarchy that is revered by millions of Nepalese.

According to the Nepalese constitution, neither the government nor any other body can interfere in or question the acts of the palace, but King Gyanendra has departed from that tradition.

He ordered the chief justice to submit a report by Thursday.

The commission's work, however, was stalled Tuesday after one of its three members, the communist leader of the political opposition, raised procedural questions and resigned.

Madhav Kumar Nepal said the panel appointees should have been cleared by the cabinet.

The setting up of the probe panel is seen as a massive public relations exercise by King Gyanendra.

His enthronement Monday was followed by rioting and protests that left two people dead and at least 19 injured.

"He will have to work very hard to instill confidence in the people and regain the respect that his worthy brother had gained," Krishnna Prasad Bhattarai, former prime minister and ruling party leader said.

Nepal's newly crowned king faces an uphill battle in securing support, with many Nepalese refusing to accept him.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has warned Americans in Nepal to remain indoors and said it would urge others to defer travel to the country.

Another royal dies

Dhirendra Shah, the youngest brother of the new king, who had renounced his claims to royalty after marrying a foreigner, became the 10th victim when he died of his injuries on Monday.

In his first television address to a bewildered nation, the new king appealed to the people's loyalty to his family dynasty.

He had called Friday's fatal shooting an "accident," to the disbelief of angry Nepalese.

Gyanendra's ascension to the throne gives him little power -- Nepalese monarchs are heads of state, but do not govern -- and he will likely have a tough task gaining the support of many Nepalese.

King Dipendra is carried to a funeral pyre

The riots began Monday as Nepalis woke to the news that King Dipendra, the crown prince proclaimed monarch Saturday despite being in a coma, had died and would be succeeded by his uncle Gyanendra.

Gyanendra was out of town at the time of the killings.

Amid a dearth of official information, Nepalese started gathering on street corners on Monday, exchanging gossip and conspiracy theories that may have helped fuel public anger.

Choice of bride

Angry mobs then surged toward the Royal Palace, scene of the massacre that officials first blamed on the Crown Prince over a supposed argument on his choice of bride and plans to return Nepal to monarchial rule.

While there were sporadic demonstrations on Tuesday, the streets emptied after the second curfew -- which authorities warned would give the police the right to shoot violators.

Gyanendra is crowned after the death of the nephew

Gyanendra was crowned on Monday at a somber ceremony under a light drizzle at the old Monkey Gate palace -- the traditional seat of the ruling Shah dynasty.

Analysts say Gyanendra now faces a struggle to restore the role of the monarchy as a pillar of stability in the country of 22 million people, where Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has faced violent street protests against his rule.

The late King Birendra enjoyed great popularity, particularly since he ceded absolute power in favor of a British-style constitutional monarchy in 1990.

Many saw him as holding together the impoverished country, racked by political infighting and Maoist insurgency.

The Associated Press & Reuters contributed to this report.