Massive protests in Nepal against minor girl's rape, murder

Thousands of people staged anti-government protests in Nepal on Saturday, demanding justice to a 13-year-girl who was raped and killed.

People from different walks of life took out a massive protest rally in Maitighar Mandala under the banner of 'Justice For Nirmala', demanding the government take strict action against the man who committed the crime in Kanchanpur district, about 700 kms from here.

According to the police, the girl was raped and killed on July 27.

The protesters, carrying banners that read 'Justice for Nirmalam', 'punish the guilty', 'insure women's safety' and 'government don't hide the perpetrator', raised anti-government slogans as they moved to Parliament.

The main opposition party Nepali Congress (NC) on Thursday obstructed a meeting of the House of Representatives to press the government in the case.

Speaking in Parliament, NC lawmaker Dilendra Prasad Badu accused the authorities including the police of trying to cover the investigation.

"The state mechanism seems to be focused on hiding the reality than identifying the real culprit," he alleged.

Meanwhile, a general strike was called in Kanchanpur demanding the arrest of the accused.

NC-affiliated Nepal Student Union shut down the market and disrupted traffic as it took out a protest rally in Mahendranagar.