In what is seen as an important initiative, leaders of major faiths in the country have urged His Majesty King Gyanendra to take initiative to kick start peace process in the country by calling up the political parties and Maoists for dialogue.
At the end of an interaction and discussions held in Kathmandu on Sunday, respected leaders of major religions in the country said the main responsibility to give a way out to the long-drawn crisis in the country had fallen upon the shoulder of HM the King. “Hence, he must take initiative to start a peace process,” they said.

According to a joint statement issued by Dr. KB Rokaya, vice chairman, and Keshab P Chaulagain, secretary of the Inter-Religious Peace Committee—Nepal (IRCN) the religious leaders said since the military solution to the armed conflict in the country was not feasible, a peaceful solution to the conflict must be worked out through dialogue and negotiations.

They also suggested that calling off the municipal polls would be in the overall interest of the country as this poll could not offer any solution to the problems facing the country and was likely to further widen gap between the political forces and invite more bloodshed.

The religious leaders said durable peace could be restored in the country only by ensuring justice.

Senior leaders of Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Bahai communities in Nepal had participated in the interaction, according to the IRCN.