KATMANDU: Violent protests and fighting among rival minority groups seeking greater rights has killed more than 130 people and at least 200 others have been kidnapped in southern Nepal this year, the UN said on Wednesday.

The United Nations human rights office in the capital, Katmandu, said all violence must cease and demands for greater rights should be pressed for peacefully.

The UN “is calling on all armed groups who claim to be pursing political activities to immediately end criminal activities such as killings, abductions, extortion and bombing and use peaceful means to achieve their stated objectives,” it said in a report.More than 130 people have died in 2007 in demonstrations that turned violent and in clashes, and 200 others were abducted, the report said.

Violence erupted earlier this year after several ethnic groups seeking increased political rights began organising strikes, transportation shutdowns and demonstrations — some of which sparked deadly clashes.

Many Nepalese in the south say their region has been neglected in favour of the more populated north. They have demanded greater autonomy, more seats in the national legislature, and a guaranteed number of representatives in the administration. A Cabinet minister from Nepal’s main political party and three lawmakers resigned on Monday over the government’s failure to end violence in the south. —AP