Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through Nepal's capital Kathmandu Monday to call for an end to an increasingly bloody conflict between Maoist rebels and security forces. Organisers said some 150,000 students, human rights activists and other supporters took part in the peace march in the ancient capital, halting traffic. Police declined to comment on the numbers.
The impoverished Himalayan kingdom is in the grips of a nearly nine-year revolt by the Maoists who are seeking the overthrow of the constitutional monarchy and the establishment of a communist republic. The demonstration was organised by the pro-left All Nepal National Free Students Union and the People's Solidarity for Peace Committee.
"This is the largest-ever peace rally of its kind held to appeal to both the Maoist rebels and the government to end the conflict and sit down at the peace negotiation table," said Shree Krishna Joshi, one of the rally organisers.
Students paraded through the streets, shouting "We want pens not guns".
Human rights groups say the Maoists are forcibly drafting the students to take part in the revolt.
The rally was held as a crippling Maoist-called transport blockade of the Kathmandu valley entered its fifth day. The blockade is aimed at protesting the disappearance of rebel activists.
Nepal's National Human Rights Commission said recently it had recorded over 1,400 cases of people disappearing from both sides in the conflict.
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