Nepal's former Maoist guerrillas Sunday allowed their former arch enemy, deposed king Gyanendra, to travel to the Kathmandu airport unhindered to board a flight to India despite a general strike called by them.
This is the second visit to India of Gyanendra, the last Hindu king in the world, since he was officially stripped of his crown last year and monarchy was abolished in Nepal.
Gyanendra left on a Jet Airways flight on a nearly four-week long visit to India to meet relatives and attend at least one wedding.
He will be proceeding to Orissa to attend the wedding, on Dec 10, of a niece, who is the granddaughter of his aunt Bharati, the former queen mother of the erstwhile principality of Mayurbhanj.
The wedding is scheduled to take place in the state capital Bhubaneswar that will see former royals from India and Nepal gather.
The 62-year-old is being accompanied by his wife, former queen Komal.
In February 2008, Gyanendra stepped out of Nepal for the first time after relinquishing power in 2006. His destination then was Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh where he went to attend a wedding.
{{/usCountry}}In February 2008, Gyanendra stepped out of Nepal for the first time after relinquishing power in 2006. His destination then was Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh where he went to attend a wedding.
{{/usCountry}}The visit was regarded with deep suspicion by the Maoists, who accused the last king of Nepal of trying to stage a comeback with the support of India's leading politicians.
However, there has been little suspicion about the current visit with the Maoists being preoccupied with protests against the new government.