Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sarbendra Khanal on Friday pledged action against the perpetrator(s) of the rape and murder of 13-year-old Nirmala Panta of Bhimdutta Municipal- ity-2, Kanchanpur.

Expressing commitment to book the guilty of the gruesome crime at any cost, he said stern action had been initiated against police personnel who were negligent during investigation into the case. “An expert team is investigating the case.

The criminals would be brought to book soon,” IGP Khanal said, while inaugurating a programmeorganised by the National Human Rights Commission on Friday.

“A policeman has been suspended for his negligence during the investigation. Others who are found guilty of negligence—they may be SP or DIG—may lose their job,” he said.

Conceding that irresponsible behaviour of some police personnel investigating into the Kanchanpur case has created distrust over police, IGP Khanal said he has taken seriously the torture inflicted by police on many

people. “We have learned a new lesson from the Kanchanpur incident. I urge the locals to help the new investigation team to find the culprits.” (PR)