SAARC nations seek end to violence in Nepal

New Delhi, Apr 16: Prominent persons, including former prime minister I K Gujral, from the SAARC countries have together urged the Nepalese government to expeditiously initiate meaningful talks with all parties concerned to end violence in that country.

Ten persons, including former foreign ministers of Bangladesh and Maldives, signed a joint statement of solidarity and support for the people of Nepal here.

''We, friends of the people of Nepal from the neighbouring South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation countries express our solidarity and support for the courageous and freedom-loving people of Nepal, as they strive, through sacrifice and suffering to realise democracy, rule of law, human rights, including social and economic rights, and social justice,'' it said.

We urge that meaningful talks should be initiated by the Nepalese government with all parties concerned without delay to end violence and repressive action by the state that has resulted in loss of life and liberty of countless innocent citizens and inflicted serious damage on the country's economy, it added.

"Dr Pandey's detention cannot be justified and offends our sense of justice, which is shared by people throughout the SAARC region."

UNI

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