Dhangadi, November 15

A sit-in that had started in front of the District Administration Office of Kanchanpur five days ago to press the government for the early arrest of the culprit behind the rape and murder of Nirmala Panta continued today as well.

The sit-in staged by Nirmala’s family, as per their declared agitation programme. also has the support of Civil Struggle Committee Kanchanpur. Women rights activist Sharada Chand vowed to continue the strike until the perpetrator(s) in the case were booked.

Meanwhile, following the lack of any breakthrough in the investigation for long police have started investigating persons from the victim’s village lately.

About a couple of weeks ago, Kanchanpur police had sent DNA samples of four suspects in connection with the rape and murder case to the Kathmandu-based Central Forensic Lab.

The lab submitted the DNA test report to Deputy Superintendent of Police Krishna Ojha of Kanchanpur in Kathmandu today. While DSP Ojha said he would reach Kanchanpur today itself and the report would be made public tomorrow, Kanchanpur SP Kuber Kathayat said the report would be opened as per consultation with the government attorney.

Police haven’t revealed the names of persons whose DNA samples were tested.