Nepalese police shoot curfew violators

Police in Nepal have shot and wounded at least 14 people, doctors said today, and some 450 others have been arrested for violating a curfew.

The curfew was imposed to prevent more protests against the unpopular new King Gyanendra, who took the throne after a royal massacre.

A probe into the shooting spree in the palace on Friday failed to start as planned on Tuesday, as members of the panel quarrelled over how to proceed with the investigation - a delay that could further anger Nepalese demanding an explanation of the killings.

The second curfew in as many days was lifted today, and there were no immediate reports of trouble.

Kathmandu was calm on Tuesday, and there were few signs that the previous day’s mass rioting would continue. But officials at three hospitals said at least 14 people were wounded by police who opened fire on curfew violators - which the Government warned could happen as it announced by radio that no one could be out between noon and midnight.

Police said today that 450 people had been arrested for curfew violations in the capital and were being questioned in detention. Troublemakers will be locked up for a month, police said.

Nepalese were left wondering today if they would get shut in by another curfew. It remained unclear how Nepalese would behave once they could freely move about the streets.

The killing of King Birendra, the queen and eight other royals has filled people with rage. Many are critical of Gyanendra, who took the throne on Monday, three days after Crown Prince Dipendra allegedly killed most of the royal family.

Some say the new monarch lost credibility by blaming the incident on "accidental" automatic weapon fire.

"The situation in the country is really bad," said Rabin Nakarmi, a technician who ventured out after a curfew imposed to stop riots on Monday was lifted and before police clamped down with a new one Tuesday.

The public fury has been fuelled by neighbourhood gossip, overwhelming grief and the lack of any official explanation of the royal shootings that deprived Nepal of its beloved king.

"Never in my wildest dream did I think this would happen, but the worst part is not knowing who did it," said Amrit Maharjan, a tailor. "There is doubt, and it’s mentally torturing, not knowing the truth, and that is why people are rioting."

With authorities keeping the streets clear of people, Kathmandu avoided a repeat of Monday’s violent protests in which two men were killed, allegedly by police gunfire, and at least 19 people injured.

Gyanendra said on national television on Monday night that he had ordered an investigation into the killing of the royals.

Officials in Kathmandu have said privately that Dipendra was the gunman angered when his mother refused his choice of a bride - and that after he gunned down the royal family he shot himself.

But the crown prince did not die immediately. He became a monarch while in hospital on life support, then died early Monday, clearing the way for Gyanendra to become king.

The probe Gyanendra ordered into the massacre stalled before it could begin amid squabbling among the investigators.

There was no official word on how, or when, the probe could get under way.

About two dozen people, their heads shaven in a traditional Hindu show of respect for the dead, were arrested before Tuesday’s curfew was imposed as they marched toward the royal palace carrying flags.

Tensions flared again Tuesday when dozens of people lining up to sign a condolence book at the palace were turned back.

"We can’t even grieve and mourn any more," said shopkeeper K.P. Rauniar. "We have been restricted. This is terrible."