Outrage over Nepal monument plan

A plan to build a monument on the site of Nepal’s royal massacre in 2001 has enraged archaeologists and museum officials, it was reported today.

The Maoist-led government is set to construct a monument to martyrs of the Nepal “republic” in the Narayanhity Palace grounds which will have a conference hall, car park, ticket booth and cafe.

The 18th century pink palace served as the royal residence of the now deposed monarchy and was converted into a national museum last year.

In June 2001 crown prince Dipendra shot several members of his family including his father King Birendra and mother Queen Aishwarya there before killing himself.

Museum officials and archaeologists say the construction will overshadow the old palace and degrade its value, the Nepalese newspaper Kantipur said.

A museum official, who did not wish to be identified, said: “I don’t see why the monument should be built at this very place, overshadowing the museum.

“It seems the government is not convinced that Nepal has turned into a republic.”

Indra Bahadur Shrestha, director general at Urban Development and Building Construction, said: “We looked for many sites and found the museum most the appropriate.”

The department has received 16 design proposals and experts will choose the best by next week. Construction is due to begin by mid-June.

The Department of Archaeology has also expressed its unhappiness with the plan. The department’s director Keshav Prasad Acharya said: “Building the monument there is not a good idea.

“From our side, we have already said the government should rethink the construction site.”