High-level committee begins work

KANCHANPUR, Aug 25: The high-level task force formed to investigate the rape and murder of 13-year-old Nirmala Pant has begun its work since Friday.

The five-member team was formed by the government under the convenorship of Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs Hari Prasad Mainali. The team discussed the matter yesterday with the security agencies and the Chief District Officer.

In a meeting with media workers, team coordinator Mainali said the team would come out with the truth and called for support from all sides. “We will carry out an impartial investigation and present our report accordingly,” he said.

Mainali also said the team will be meeting with the victim family, civil society and all other stakeholders. The team will also look into reasons why the people are coming to the streets.

The investigation will begin afresh, while also taking note of the developments that have taken place so far, Mainali said.

Meanwhile, the Civil Society in Kanchanpur has decided to postpone the program of protest, in wake of the formation of the high-level probe committee. In a meeting held at the District Coordination Committee meeting hall yesterday evening, an agreement was reached to support the newly formed committee.

The decision was to postpone the agitation but continue with pressure-exerting program while demanding that the government immediately provide treatment of the injured, according to Federation of Nepali Journalists, Kanchanpur Chair Bishnu Awasthi, who attended the meeting. RSS