KATHMANDU, NOV 27 - "Don’t swamp Lord Buddha’s birthplace in human blood." "Respect people’s rights to live." "People want democracy, not autocracy." "People want peace, not violence."
About 108 participants, ranging from a teenager, Sarita Giri, to 60- year-old Tara Shahi, carrying placards with above slogans began today their nine-day long peace march to Lumbini.
The Maoists and the security forces, who are locked in fierce violence, may or may not notice their plead but these participants are determined to make their statement.
Sexagenarian Shahi said, " I am joining this holy march to make a difference in the present state of affairs."
"We can no more bear this war," she lamented. The march is organised by Democratic National Youth Forum (DNYF), which left behind its radical revolutionary beliefs.
DNYF is not much optimistic the peace march would bring immediate results but hopes the parties in conflict may take note people are clamouring for peace.
"It will at least make people aware of the atrocities and the need for peace," said Gokarna Bista, chairman of the DNYF.
Human rights activists, Buddhist monks, community organisations and CPN-UML leaders were there to bid farewell to the participants.
The CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, speaking at the function, said such marches would spread the people’s aspirations for peace.
"Peace and democracy are complementary to each other" said Nepal. "We are trying to convey people’s desire for peace to the Maoists and the regressive forces."
Human rights activist Krishna Pahadi urged the Maoist leaders Prachanda and Dr Baburam Bhattarai to respect the people’s will and stop war.
"The Maoist leaders are like the balloons filled with hot air by some foreign power and a handful of domestic conspirators," Pahadi said.
Bhikshyu Ananda, a Buddhist monk, said restoration of political rights was a precondition to bring about peace and prosperity in the country.Posted on: 2003-11-26 11:00

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