Kathmandu, September 11 :

Defence Secretary Bishnu Dutta Uprety today told the high-level Investigation Commission headed by former Supreme Court justice Krishna Jung Rayamajhi that the erstwhile Council of Ministers headed by King Gyanendra should bear responsibility for the killing and suppression of people during the Jana Andolan II.

“He told us that he is ready to bear responsibility for every decision taken by the Ministry of Defence during the King’s direct rule,” a highly placed source at the high-level commission told this daily.

The defence secretary also claimed that he had then no authority to decide anything though he had signed in all decisions, the source said.

“During the meetings of security sub-committee and unified command the army chief would always cite the King’s order to do things and we took decisions just to implement their plans,” the source said, quoting Uprety, who used to attend such meetings as a special invitee.

The Rayamajhi panel also interrogated Deputy Inspector General Krishna Bahadur Rana and Superintendent of Police Rajandra Man Shrestha.

Meanwhile, the commission today summoned former assistant ministers Roshan Karki and Rajesh Kaji Shrestha, former Mayor of Kirtipur municipality Dhruba Maharjan, his deputy Bachhu Ram Shrestha and inspector Raj Kumar Silwal.

The panel has directed them to appear before the commission tomorrow.