Ex-king Shah returns to Kathmandu, receives grand welcome

Kathmandu / March 9: Former King Gyanendra Shah returned to the federal capital, Kathmandu, after wrapping up visits to the western parts of the country today.

A large number of people including the cadres of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), organizations supporting monarchy and well wishers welcomed the former king as he exited the main gate of Tribhuvan International Airport.

Most of those welcoming the former king outside TIA gate had carried national flags.

With a large number of people thronging on street to welcome the former king, the ring road witnessed traffic congestion.

The security situation was beefed up in view of the sensitivity in TIA area.

Former king Gyanendra Shah returned home from Pokhara today. This is the first time the former monarch received such a grand welcome in the capital. The welcoming crowed chanted slogans praising the former king and criticizing the wrongdoings of political parties and the Government.

Massive street protests in 2006 forced Gyanendra to give up his authoritarian rule, and two years later the parliament voted to abolish the monarchy as Gyanendra left the Royal Palace to live the life of a commoner.But many Nepalis have grown frustrated with the republic, saying it has failed to bring about political stability and blaming it for a struggling economy and widespread corruption. Nepal has had 13 governments since the monarchy was abolished in 2008.