Yep & not part of the royal family,but the rulers themselves.The "OFFICIAL" version is that crown prince Dipendra used his Uzi to mow down his father,the late King Birendra(very popular,pro-democracy,pro-India),his mom & 2 siblings & a handful of courtiers.THe reason given was that he was not allowed to marry the girl he wanted.That bloodbath brought the current King Gyanendra(unpopular,pro-monarchy & pro-Chinese) to the throne.An evangelist who works in Nepal once told me that most people in Nepal believe that Gyanendra & his son had some definite role in orchestrating the palace massacre.Nepal is not about the monarchy vs. the maoists-the bigger issue is whether it will bring India & China to loggerheads.
Right now he wants to smoke the peace pipe with the Maoists.
Check out
http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/03/stories/2005020303221400.htm
Reuters and CBC say the strike called by the commies didn't quite succeed.
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/050203/w020312.html
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP103663.htm
Tough call for the Nepalese. Encourage a democracy where communism grows or support the monarchy against commies and get shot at by snipers.