Human rights activists have demanded a fair investigation into the rape and killing of a young girl in Surkhet on March 7, and strict action against the perpetrators.
On March 10, organizations including INSEC Karnali Province Office, Human Rights Defenders Network, Women Human Rights Defenders Network, Aawaz Organization, Navjyoti Centre, FEDO, WHRD, Advocacy Forum, and leftist groups submitted a memorandum to SP Sudhirraj Shahi of the District Police Office, Surkhet, making the demand.
The memorandum stated that the rape and killing of Inisa BK, 16, originally from Gurbakot Municipality–6 and currently residing in Birendranagar Municipality–1, near the forest area close to Shahid Park in Birendranagar–4, is an extremely tragic, inhumane, and condemnable incident. They also noted that the incident, which occurred on the eve of International Women’s Day, has shocked the entire society.
Organizations working in the field of human rights expressed serious concern over the incident, urging a fair, thorough, and prompt investigation. They demanded that the perpetrators involved be strictly punished according to the law and that justice be delivered swiftly to the victim’s family.
Furthermore, attention was drawn to the need for strengthening effective security measures, monitoring, and awareness programs to prevent incidents of sexual violence and crimes against women and girls. The memorandum was also forwarded for information to the Chief District Officer, District Administration Office, Surkhet; District Government Attorney’s Office, Surkhet; and the National Human Rights Commission, Karnali Province Office.
The police arrested a 16-year-old boy at the crime scene on March 7. Based on the complaint filed by the victim’s family on March 8, the post-mortem of the body was conducted at Province Hospital, Surkhet. The family has not yet performed the funeral rites. SP Sudhirraj Shahi of the District Police Office stated that, for further investigation, additional boys aged 15, 16, and 17 were also taken into custody on March 8. He confirmed that the police are conducting the investigation impartially.