Nepal 'excesses' probe complete

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A high-level panel in Nepal has completed an investigation into alleged excesses by the royalist government in a crackdown on pro-democracy protests.

The panel questioned senior officials and examined reports of brutality by the security forces last April.

Twenty-one people were killed and thousands of others injured during the protests, in which people defied shoot-on-sight curfew orders.

The protests forced the king to end his direct rule and reinstate parliament.

The findings of the panel have not been disclosed yet.

But two of its five members refused to sign the final report, citing differences over the conclusions.

A retired Supreme Court judge, Krishna Jung Rayamjhi, heads the panel.

Panel spokesman Dilli Raman Acharya told the BBC that despite the differences among the members the panel plans to present its report to the Prime Minister, Girija Prasad Koirala.

Action

A date for submitting the report has not been decided yet.

A panel member told the BBC that King Gyanendra had been held responsible for the excesses.

It is not clear if any action against the monarch has been recommended.

The investigative panel had been formed to look into the excessive use of force and the misuse of government funds against the pro-democracy demonstrators.

The popular uprising in April forced King Gyanendra to end his direct rule and hand over power to a multi-party government of the protesting parties.

The king has subsequently been stripped of all executive powers including the control over the 90,000-strong army.

There has been a persistent call for the abolition of the monarchy since then.

A constituent assembly election is due to be held early next year to decide the future of the monarchy.

Implication of the king by the panel in the excesses during his direct rule could further weaken his position.