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Ajit Jain India Abroad Correspondent in Toronto
Nepal watchers in Canada believe that any attempt to cover up last week's royal massacre in Kathmandu would prove to be counterproductive and may even lead to a civil war.
Major Michael Burke, executive secretary of Gurkha Welfare Appeal (Canada), a Canadian registered charity that works in Nepal for the welfare of Gurkha soldiers, told this reporter that Communist groups, especially Maoists, are "quite a powerful force in Nepal and they are already stirring up trouble, killing people in some areas police can't even reach."
He said if the government sends the Army to deal with the troublemakers, it could lead to a civil war.
Burke said a lot would depend on the findings of the inquiry appointed by the Palace into the massacre. "People want to know what happened that night in Narayanahity palace...if the probe takes too long, they will run out of patience."
Michael Rojik, head of the Nepal School Projects, believes that Communists are behind the rising political tensions in the Himalayan state.
Rojik, who has worked in Nepal for 25 years, said recently there had been some charges of corruption against a minister and the Opposition had demanded the prime minister's resignation.
"Maoist students are demanding complete restructuring of the education system -- providing for free education in public schools and 50 per cent reduction in tuition fees in private schools," he said.
He said it was difficult at this stage to predict how the Communists would react in the long-term to the last week's tragedy. They have already taken exception to the King naming the inquiry, calling it "unconstitutional."
"I feel it is the Opposition fault -- they have let Maoists gain strength politically. In 22 districts they have substantial presence and they control administration in four districts out of the 75," Rojik said.
"The government has not had the courage to curb Maoist activities. Already 2,000 people have been killed and unless strong measures are taken Maoists would grow in influence."
Viswo Verma, president of the Nepal Community Services Inc. in Toronto, was cautious in his reaction to the royal tragedy. "What has happened in Nepal is very bad. It is bad for Nepalese people all over the world," he said.
"The king didn't deserve this kind of death," said Krishan Deo Bhattrai, president of the Nepal Association of Canada. "He was a noble person loved by people. I can't comprehend this. It will take a long time for this wound to heal," he said.
He also expressed concern about the law and order situation. "Communist-Maoist groups are already creating all kinds of problems and the prime minister is their target."
"Nepal will take a long, long time to recover," said Dr Kunjar Sharma, Honorary Consul-General of Nepal in Toronto. "We all have to help and co-operate to take Nepal to glorious heights," he said.
"It is time to close ranks and be one," Sharma said adding that "the Palace and the government must act in unison."
ALSO SEE: Royal massacre survivor blames Dipendra Paramilitary forces on alert on Indo-Nepal border Probe begins into Nepal massacre Amnesty slams media crackdown in Nepal Death of a Monarch: The Complete Coverage
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