Ilam, January 6:

King Gyanendra and Queen Komal arrived at Ilam today.

Thousands of people received the King and Queen upon their arrival and different cultural display were presented during the royal couple’s two-hour-long stay. The King directly held meeting with civilians present at the Tundikhel, here. The locals appealed the King for the security.

Chairperson of the Ilam District Development Committee Lila Shrestha briefed the King about the situation of the district.

She appealed the King for reinstatement of security posts which had been shifted to the district headquarters, construction of the Sukilumba airport, set up of zonal level offices at Ilam, the headquarters of Mechi zone, construction of a cold store, improvement of the hospital, solution to the Chulachuli squatter problem among others. The King, in a message to the people of Ilam, thanked the people of Ilam. The King and Queen returned to Itahari today.

Meanwhile, the local students chanted slogans and waved black flags at the King when he was meeting local residents here.