Leaders from various faiths in Nepal have urged the international community, especially Norway, to play a more effective role in finding a peaceful solution to Nepal crisis. They also requested the international community to support and cooperate with the religious communities in Nepal in their efforts for peace.
During a meeting with the Norwegian ambassador to Nepal Tore Toreng this week, the religious leaders shared with him their concern and opinion about the deteriorating situation in the country, a statement issued by the Inter-Religious Peace Committee-Nepal said.
During their meeting, the religious leaders with one voice expressed their unshaken unity and commitment to jointly work for peaceful resolution of the armed conflict and lasting peace in the country.
The ongoing conflict in Nepal has a local, regional and international dimension.
In his response, the Norwegian ambassador appreciated the joint efforts being made by various religious groups in Nepal for peace. He further said that the religious communities in Nepal had a tremendous potential to make a meaningful contribution to the peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict and establishment of lasting peace by working together.
He further suggested that the religious leaders in Nepal should come up with a concrete road map to resolve the on-going conflict and should make their message known to the warring parties and the general public.
The delegation led by president of Inter-Religious Peace Committee (IRPC) and ex-president of World Hindu Federation, Achyut Raj Regmi, included Dr KB Rokaya, Vice President, IRPC and general secretary, National Council of Churches of Nepal; among others.
Despite ups and down, Norway is playing the role of an intermediary between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE guerillas to find out a negotiated settlement to the ethnic conflict that has already claimed over 60,000 lives in the island nation over the last two decades.