Nepali Congress seeks action against former crown prince

KATHMANDU - The Nepali Congress, the largest party in Nepals ruling alliance Monday, Monday condemned the brawl and shooting in an upscale wildlife resort involving controversial former crown prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah and a kin of the party’s senior minister, urging the government to take stern measures.

Nepali Congress president Sushil Koirala in a statement Monday said he was amazed that the caretaker government of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal had failed to initiate any action more than two days after Paras hit the headlines for letting his gun fly off during a weekend altercation.

Koirala said the guilty should be punished to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.

The political condemnation came after the 39-year-old former heir to Nepals throne admitted he had fired a bullet at the plush Tiger Tops wildlife resort in southern Nepals Chitwan district following a dispute with Rubel Chowdhury, a Bangladeshi national married to Melina, daughter of Nepali Congress leader and Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala.

Sushil Koirala is Sujata Koirala’s brother and Melanies grand-uncle.

Paras admitted he had fired in the air but blamed it on Chowdhury and his Indian companion, who, he claimed, had provoked him by insulting him, his family and his country.

Nepals official media said the former royal, known for his fondness for visiting discotheques and driving fast cars, was intoxicated when the incident occurred.

Nepals police said a four-member team has been sent to the resort Monday to inquire into the incident.