An 8-year-old girl was raped at Safebagar Municipality in Achham district.

According to the victim’s family, Rewanta Das, 21, of Devisthan of Safebagar Municipality-11 raped the girl on July 4 while she was alone at her home with her 2-year-old sister.

“I was in home with my sister. He lured me into the act and also threatened not to tell anybody after the incident,” said victim in the police statement. The victim’s father is working in India. Police said the victim’s mother only lodged a rape complaint at the police office on July 12. “I could not lodge the complaint earlier because of threat,” she said.

The victim’s family has demanded immediate arrest and persecution of the perpetrator. Police said Rwanta’s family went to India after the incident.

“We have been searching for the culprit by circulating his sketch to police stations across Nepal. We have also requested Indian officials to coordinate a search operation in India,” said DSP Tandukar.

The victim has been undergoing treatment at a local hospital. Meanwhile, women activists in Achham have demanded immediate arrest of the guilty and strong action against him.

Woman activist Pashupati Kunwar said they would stage demonstrations until the guilty is arrested. “We have been pressuring the local administration to arrest and make public the culprit soon,” she said.