Kotkhai rape: 5 detained for questioning

A special investigation team (SIT) probing the July 4 rape-and-murder of a school girl in Kotkhai area of Shimla district detained five people for questioning today.
Those detained were residents of Kotkhai and nearby areas, sources in the police department said, without giving further details.
Meanwhile, various social organisations continued to stage protest and a youth group took out a candlelight march from Sanjauli to The Ridge today.
Pawan Khimta, who led the march, said that such a crime had never been heard of before in 'Dev Bhoomi' Himachal Pradesh and demanded justice for the victim.
He demanded that the matter be heard in a fast-track court.

The Students' Federation of India (SFI) today said it would gherao the office of the chief minister if the police failed to arrest the culprits at the earliest.
The Class X girl was raped and murdered on July 4 and her body was recovered from a nearby forest two days later.
BJP's chief spokesperson Rajiv Bindal said the law and order situation had deteriorated in the state and the Kotkhai incident was a glaring example. The governor should intervene and President's Rule should be imposed in the state, he added.