New Delhi: India yesterday (Feb 5, 2007) hoped thelarge-scale violent protests in Nepal'sTerai region would be resolved though peaceful dialogue.

"We are in touch with the Nepalese government. I do hope that the problemwill be resolved through peaceful means, through dialogue," ExternalAffairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters here when asked about theviolence on the sidelines of an international seminar.

Noting that Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala had appealed toprotestors to shun violence and come forward for talks, Mukherjee hoped Nepal'spolitical parties would come together to find a solution.

At least 14 people were killed and dozens of government buildings burnt down inthe past three weeks in towns of the Terai region during violent protests bythe Madhesi Janadhikar Forum and Jantantrik Terai Mukti Morcha, which aredemanding greater political representation for the region in Parliament.

The Nepal government hasformed a ministerial team to initiate a dialogue with the protesting parties inthe Terai region of southern Nepal.

Koirala had, in his address to the nation on Wednesday, asked protestors toshun violence and come forward for parleys. He also assured them that the Governmentwould fulfil their two major demands --to introduce a federal system ofgovernance and delineate election constituencies because of population andgeographical conditions.