3,000 Nepalis stage peace march as curfew relaxed

Representatives from Nepal's Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and Christian communities participate in a march to appeal for religious tolerance and harmony outside the main Mosque in Kathmandu yesterday as security forces personnel look on. PHOTO: AFP

Those taking part in the procession called for religious tolerance following rioting directed at Muslim targets in response to the grisly killing of 12 Nepalese hostages by Islamic insurgents in Iraq, said one organiser, Hemanta Sharma.

"The peace marchers included Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists," Sharma said.

Demonstrators carried placards with slogans reading "Religious tolerance and national unity are Nepal's present need," witnesses said.

A group of people from various walks of life including artists, journalists, members of civil society and human rights activists separately held a peace meeting in the capital, lighting candles and praying for harmony.

The events were held after the Nepalese government further eased a curfew imposed last week to quell the rioting.

The 10-hour let-up in the curfew was to allow people to buy food and get on with their normal business, the home ministry said early Sunday. Authorities had relaxed the curfew for eight hours on Saturday.

The curfew has been in place in Kathmandu and Lalitpur on the southern outskirts of the capital since Wednesday to stop angry mobs that had attacked mosques and Muslim businesses after 12 Nepalese youths were killed by Islamic militants who had held them hostage since August 19.

During the unrest police opened fire to disperse an angry crowd that tried to storm the Egyptian embassy, which represents Iraqi interests in the Himalayan kingdom.

At least two people were killed and more than 50 injured in the clashes between demonstrators and riot police.

However, there were no reports of violence overnight Saturday, police said.