DHANGADHI: Following the initiation of a probe into brutal rape and murder of 13-year-old Nirmala Panta of Kanchanpur, her father today expressed hope that the high-level-investigation-committee deployed by the government will carry out a fair investigation.

Citing the rising tensions in the region, Nirmala's father, Yagya Raj Panta has also urged the stakeholders to maintain calm and help in the investigation.

Meanwhile, a five-man-committee led by Joint Secretary Hari Prasad Mainali has launched a probe on Friday.

The team including newly deputed Chief District Officer Taranath Adhikari landed in Dhangadi this morning and initiated discussions with government officials.

"In the first phase, we are gathering facts and information from government officers," Mainali said, "we will also interact with civil society representatives, human rights activists and Nirmala's family."

The team will look into evidences and records if required and carry out the investigation as per the Terms of Reference handed by the Home Ministry, informed a member.

On Thursday, the government recalled Chief District Officer Kumar Bahadur Khadka, Superintendent of Police Dilli Raj Bista and Deputy Superintendent of Police Gyan Bahdur Sethhi back before deploying the high level investigation committee and new CDO and SP to the district.

Kanchanpur has been witnessing violent clashes over the week after the police allegedly paraded a mentally unstable person as the perpetrator behind the heinous crime. Locals have been staging protests in various areas of the district demanding authorities to book "the real culprit".

Eight persons including two police personnel were injured during police-protestors confrontation in Traffic Chok, Kanchapur, a day ago.