Sunsari, Aug 9: Various religious and social sects and communities have made a collective commitment to maintaining peace, communal amity and fraternity in the society.
At a joint meeting held at the District Administration Office on Sunday, leaders of Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Buddhist faiths pledged to play an active role in maintaining a peaceful environment in society.
The pledge comes in the wake of an unpleasant incident of violence that occurred at Kaptanjung of Dewangunj rural municipality ward no 3 on the night of July 26.
It may be noted that an unpleasant incident took place around 10:30 pm on July 26 when a dispute broke out between two groups of different faiths over loud music played by youths preparing to collect water from the Koshi River to offer at a Shiva temple during the religious Bol Bom festival observed during the Nepali month of Shrawan.
Ten people were injured in the ensuing gunfire, three of whom later died during treatment.
During the meeting, CDO Iswari Prasad Aryal said that the meeting emphasized on the need for all sides to remain vigilant to protect social harmony, tolerance and mutual brotherhood in Sunsari district.
Aryal further said that they also underscored the important role of religious leaders in preventing the spread of rumours and promoting a peaceful environment.
Stating that ensuring public safety remains top priority of the local administration, he called for constructive cooperation from all sides to maintain peace, security and communal amity in the district.