March for peace in Nepal's capital

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

March for peace in Nepal's capital

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) - Thousands rallied for peace in the heart of Nepal's capital on Tuesday, pleading for an end to the Maoist insurgency that has killed more than 10,000 people in this Himalayan kingdom.

Buddhist monks and Hindu priests chanted religious songs while schoolchildren joined artists, teachers, lawyers, doctors, journalists, human rights activists and business executives at the Katmandu rally.

At least 6,000 demonstrators, carrying banners saying "We want peace'' and "Give up violence and work to build the country,'' gathered to pray for peace.

The demonstrators urged both the government and Maoist guerrillas - who've been fighting for eight years to set up a communist state - to resolve the conflict through dialogue.

The government has repeatedly urged the rebels to come for peace talks in the past few weeks.

The rebels, however, say talks are possible only if the United Nations is involved.

However, the government has ruled out third-party involvement in the talks.

"The people want peace and end to the violence. And this is the only way we the people can pressure the two sides to cease fighting and resume peace talks,'' said lawyer Sunil Shrestha, who was at the rally with his 5-year-old son.

Fighting has heated up since the Maoists dropped peace talks in August 2003, ending a seven-month cease-fire.

The rebels, who say they're inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, have been fighting since 1996 to abolish Nepal's constitutional monarchy. Sphere: Related Content