Former Nepal PM Thapa cremated with state honours

Nepal's five-time prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa was cremated here on the banks of Bagmati river near Pashupatinath Temple today with full state honours.
The 87-year-old former president of Rastriya Prajatantra Party, who was prime minister for five times, died in Medanta Hospital near New Delhi on Wednesday night. His body was flown to Nepal on Thursday on an Indian Air Force plane.
The body was kept at the Dasharath Stadium, where thousands of people paid their last respects. The body was later driven on an open vehicle to Pashupati and cremated as per Hindu tradition with full state honours.

Veteran politician Thapa had been admitted in the hospital for the treatment of stomach cancer. Thapa had served as prime minister under three kings, King Mahendra and his two sons Birendra and Gyanendra.
Thapa, who is known for fostering close relations with India, had served as prime minister for the first time in 1966, during partyless panchayat polity by King Mahendra, and also served as prime minister under multiparty system after the restoration of democracy in 1990.
Among senior leaders, who were present during the cremation of Thapa include his son Sunil Thapa, who is current minister for commerce and supplies in the Sushil Koirala-led cabinet.