KATHMANDU, Oct 5: Women rights activists on Thursday staged a demonstration in front of the southern gate of Singha Durbar, demanding that the government make public the report of the high-level committee formed to probe the police investigation into the rape and murder of Kanchanpur teen Nirmala Panta and book the guilty.

The rights activists assembled in front of the gate defying prohibitory orders at around 11 am and criticized the government for failing to produce the murderer(s) of Panta. The thirteen-year-old student was raped and subsequently killed two months ago.

Irate activists also demanded the resignation of Home Minster Ram Bahadur Thapa and Nepal Police chief Sarbendra Khanal for failing to solve the case for months. Despite the commitment from higher authorities, the probe into Nirmala rape case has reached nowhere.

The high-level committee was formed after the police investigators themselves were accused of tampering with the evidences of the case. Shortly after the rape and murder of the teenager, the government had suspended five police officials including the then Kanchanpur police chief, Superintendent of Police, Dilli Raj Bista.

Police had conducted DNA testing of suspended Bista, his son Karan and other suspects. But the investigation has hit a snag after the DNA did not match with the vaginal swab of the raped girl.

The rape and murder of the teenager has become a matter of national shame after the government failed to deliver justice to the victims.

Earlier, a 17-year-old Sani Khuna was killed and two others were injured when police fired at the locals who had taken to the streest following the government's delay in booking the rapist (s).

 
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