The People’s South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) conference has kicked off in Kathmandu to discuss the issues of achieving long-lasting peace, fight imperialism and ensure rights in the region.

Organisers said that People’s SAARC is People’s Assembly to raise voice and concern of the people in the region, before heads of the governments of the SAARC member states meet in New Delhi on April 3-4.

Delegates from all SAARC member states are participating in the meeting. Over 500 delegates including 300 foreign delegates are participating in the conference.

Organisers said that the conference was organised to pressurise the SAARC leaders to discuss people’s agendas as the SAARC failed to address people’s agendas.

Inaugurating the conference, Speaker of the interim parliament Subash Chandra Nemwang said that it is difficult to sustain democracy in poverty.

Prof Babu Mathew from India stressed that religion should not be used as a means of violence. He also emphasised on free movement of citizens among SAARC member states.

The People’s SAARC will come up with a declaration on March 25, which will be submitted to the 14th SAARC summit to be held in New Delhi from April 3.