Kathmandu. A 12-year-old girl was brutally raped and murdered on Thursday night. The incident took place in Masta Rural Municipality-2, Bajhang, Nepal, when the little girl was on her way for cattle grazing.

Her parents are migrant workers in India and she had been living with her grandparents and two sisters. Her lifeless body was found at a nearby temple. The DSP of Bajhang District Police Office, Rupak Khadka said that he reached the site as soon as he received the complaint. He had then mentioned that it could be a case of rape and murder, revealing that the postmortem reports will be out soon.

This incident has sparked immense outrage especially in the capital, and throughout the country. United Dalit Youths Struggle Committee organized a protest at Maitighar on September 26 demanding stricter laws and punishment for the culprit. A large youth gathering displayed placards with words of “Justice for Samjhana”, “Ensure rule of law”. Nepali Congress member Dr. Dila Sangraula has claimed that this was a heinous act and a prompt action from the government was required. She further questioned the current administration’s ability to ensure the Constitutional provision of security for its people, commenting that it had failed in every aspect from controlling the spread of Covid-19 to providing relief for the people in need.

All Nepal Women’s Association has also demanded for immediate action to be taken against the perpetrator. They have stated a need for a fair investigation regarding the case, along with introducing stricter punishments and laws, as new laws have been announced for acid attack cases as well.