KATHMANDU: Religious leaders on Thursday demanded that the government join the Oslo Process and sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions for the sake of world peace.

Damodar Gautam of World Hindu Federation said power struggle had divided the world and had increased hatred and violence in the society. Addressing an assembly organised by Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal for voicing concerns against landmines and cluster bombs, he said the religious leaders should speak against landmines while preaching.

Lok Manya Golchha, a Jain believer, stressed the need for coordinated efforts among authorities to act against landmines.

Purna Shova Chitrakar, coordinator, BLCN, said innocent people were falling victim to landmines and cluster bombs.

Though cluster bombs have never been used in Nepal, landmines were used during the conflict by both the rebels and the state.

So far the CCM has been signed by 111 countries. Once enforced, the treaty will be a legally binding instrument that prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions. It will also oblige states to clear up contaminated areas, and to assist people and communities affected by cluster bombs.