KATHMANDU: A team comprising representatives of seven organisations has asked the government to investigate into the murder of 11-year old Runchi Mahara, a resident of Dhanusha, who was raped and murdered, and punish the culprits.

The team, which consisted of officials from Dalit NGO Federation, Lawyers National Campaign for Elimination of Caste Discrimination-Nepal, Nepal National Dalit Society Welfare Association, Dalit Service Association, Dalit Women's Association and INSEC, has returned from a three-day visit to the incident site.

The team has found that the girl was raped and murdered by a group of men at Preetitole in Dhanusa's Naktajhik VDC-1 on her way back after watching Ramlila at 10 pm on August 31.

"Locals said that Ruchi's naked body was found in a swollen state, drenched in blood," said advocate Arjun Bagale, legal officer, DNF.

Darmesh Yadav has been held on the charge but other culprits are still at large. "The government should guarantee people's right to live," Bagale said.The team also sought special mechanism to end violence against women, security and relief for Ruchi's family.