Nepal, March 29 -- The ruling Nepali Congress (NC) has asserted that former King Gyanendra Shah must take responsibility for the deaths, arson, vandalism and looting that occurred in Tinkune and surrounding areas on Friday.

During a meeting of NC office bearers on Saturday, the party accused the former king of orchestrating the demonstration in Tinkune and inciting chaos.

NC Spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat stated that the violence was premeditated by royalists, leading to extensive damage to both private and public property. He cited Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak's briefing at the meeting, where the minister clarified that police had not fired any bullets or tear gas at the royalist gathering.

"The royalists deliberately carried out...