Nepali Offices Closed, National Flags Half Down Over King's DeathTo mourn over the death of late Nepali King Birendra, all the foreign embassies, government and non-governmental offices, factories, schools and shops will be closed for five days, Nepal Television said in an official announcement Saturday.The above agencies will also fly Nepali flags at half-mast for 13 days, said the television. Meanwhile, according to Hindu's tradition when a father dies, all the Nepali males will cut all their hair, female will not comb their hair while all Nepali people will not eat salt for three days, it said. Late King Birendra, 55, Queen Aishwarya, 51, and some other royal family members died on Friday night while Crown Prince Dipendra was seriously injured and is in coma at a military hospital in Kathmandu, the Royal Palace said earlier Saturday. No reason was given for death of the members of the royal family. Earlier reports said that Dipendra shot the family members dead due to disputes over his marriage. Queen Aishwarya is reportedly opposed to Dipendra's choice of bride. Unconfirmed sources said altogether 11 members of the royal family were killed in the tragic incident. |
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