Oslo, April 12: Bringing together top leaders and
experts from diverse backgrounds, a conference on peace and
reconciliation in South Asia here has favoured efforts to
spread awareness in Europe on the problem of Naxalism faced by
India and ways to resolve it.
The conference, which focused on the internal armed
conflicts in India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Nepal, concluded
yesterday calling upon all the stakeholders to opt for
peaceful means and restraint while dealing with their
respective situations.
"The problem of Naxalism has grown exponentially in the
past few years. It is being identified by the Indian
government as the single most dangerous internal security
threat and affects nearly one-third of the total districts,"
Spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, whose 'The Art of Living
Foundation' organised the meet, said.
"It is very important that it comes to the notice of
international community, especially European nations, who can
further help us in dealing with it," he said.
"Also, through this conference, we appeal to Sri Lankan
government, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Buddhist
monks in China, Chinese government, Myanmar regime...Everyone
for peace and restraint, and to have a preference for coming
to the table for resolution of issues," the Indian spiritual
guru said in his concluding remarks yesterday.
He insisted that in present circumstances, "spirituality"
was the only option left for a credible, long-term solution to
the problems.
Bureau Report
First Published: Saturday, April 12, 2008, 00:00