Bara, August 20
The Birgunj–Pathlaiya road section remains blocked in Simara as locals continue protesting the rape and murder of a three-year-old girl.
The protesters have demanded action against those responsible for the crime and the suspension of Dilip Chhetri, deputy superintendent of police at the Area Police Office, Simara. The road has remained obstructed since Wednesday afternoon due to the protests.
According to Chhabiraman Bhattarai, assistant chief district officer of Bara, several rounds of talks were held on Wednesday to reopen the road, but no agreement was reached.
“The protesters demanded the suspension of the DSP, which is beyond the authority of the local administration to address,” Bhattarai said.
The victim, Garima Chaudhary of Jitpur-Simara Sub-Metropolitan City-1, was raped and murdered. Although a suspect has been arrested, locals have accused the police of failing to coordinate properly in the search for the missing girl.
They allege that the Area Police Office, Simara, failed to take the disappearance report seriously despite being informed in time.
The protesters have also accused police of failing to search for the girl for three days and of not bringing individuals named in the family’s complaint under investigation.
Police arrested two people after the girl’s body was found on Tuesday evening. The family had already named the same two individuals in a police complaint before the body was recovered.
The protesters are demanding accountability from the police and action against those responsible for the girl’s death before they agree to reopen the road.
