The US Embassy Friday condemned the deadly violence in Rautahat district headquarters Gaur and urged the Nepal government to prosecute all perpetrators involved.

“The armed and deadly clash in Gaur on Wednesday was a tragic and unnecessary confrontation. The U.S. Embassy condemns this violence,” a press statement issued by the embassy Friday said, adding, “We urge the Government of Nepal to arrest and prosecute all perpetrators involved, regardless of their political or ethnic group affiliation. Law and order must be enforced – and not on a selective basis.”

The US Embassy also called on the government to initiate “transparent and effective dialogue with indigenous and ethnic groups to consider grievances”. “If unity and inclusiveness are not promoted, further bloodshed may result and Nepal’s peace process could be imperiled,” the statement read.

While the Maoists blamed royal reactionaries, Indian Hindu extremists and “American imperialist elements” behind the Gaur massacre the US Embassy didn’t spare the Maoists from criticism.

“Finally, we note that the Maoists continue to break their commitments to the people of Nepal. When People’s Liberation Army soldiers walked out of cantonments en masse on Thursday, Maoists demonstrated again their disdain for the commitments they have made in the peace process,” the statement further said.