Nepalese army commander General Ashok Raj Sigdel has called on protest leaders to seek a peaceful resolution through dialogue, Khabarhub reports.

“Normalizing the current difficult situation and protecting the higher interests of the nation is everyone's shared responsibility. Therefore, I ask that protest programs be suspended and call on the parties to engage in dialogue,” Sigdel said in a video address.

He expressed deep sorrow over the damage caused to public property during the nationwide protests and offered his condolences to the families of those who died, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

Sigdel stressed that maintaining peace, security, and national unity is the responsibility of all citizens of Nepal.

“As history has shown, the Nepalese army remains committed to the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, national unity, and security of its people,” he said. 

He also stressed that protests should not negatively affect national and historical heritage, public and private property, ordinary citizens, or the security of foreign diplomatic missions.

Concluding his address, Sigdel called on all citizens to support patriotism, social harmony, and unity in moving forward together.