KATHMANDU: Police officers sacked for negligence in investigating rape and murder of Nirmala Panta have sought their reinstatement in the posts.

Former Kanchanpur Police Chief and Superintendent of Police Dilli Raj Bista and Inspector Jagdish Bhatta on Sunday filed an application at the Council of Ministers requesting government to restore their positions.

Earlier, Bista and Bhatta were dismissed by the Home Ministry in line with the recommendation forwarded by Police Headquarters after a probe committee accused them of mishandling evidence in the rape and murder case.

Police HQ had sought expulsion of both suspended SP and Inspector under Police Regulations 2071, recommending the government to hold the duo accountable for gross negligence and for going against norms of lawful investigation.

And now the duo seek reinstatement in line with the expulsion terms that they could apply to return to their former posts within 35 days from expulsion.

Meanwhile, the country has witnessed series of protests involving activists, members of political parties and general public demanding the state to deliver justice to Nirmala Panta, a 13-year-old teenager from Kanchanpur who was raped and murdered a hundred and twenty-nine days ago.

Kanchanpur shows signs of stern protests

A citizens' struggle committee has announced slew of protest programmes demanding the government to deliver justice to Nirmala.

The committee which has been staging a sit in at the District Administration Office in Kanchanpur will now undertake a stern protest, committee members said.

"We do not seek violence but justice to Nirmala," human rights activists Sarada Chand said, "We will rally on the streets with candles in search of a lost government."

Moreover, the committee has also decided to form a human chain and carry out stern protests in Bhimduttanagar where Nirmala was brutally raped and murdered.