Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the Nirmala Pant rape and murder case has tarnished the image of Nepal at the international level. He said so while addressing the Sudurpaschim Province Assembly on Wednesday.

Saying that an in-depth investigation is being conducted on the issue, Oli claimed the culprit (s) involved in the rape and murder of 11-year-old Nirmala Pant, of Kanchanpur will be brought to justice.

“The investigation has been delayed as all the evidences from the crime scene were destroyed,” he said.

While addressing the assembly, the Prime Minister said, “It is sad and unfortunate that a Nepali girl was raped and murdered.”

Body of Nirmala was found on a sugarcane field in Bhimdutta Municipality of Kanchanpur on July 27, a day after she was reported missing, sparking a nationwide protest and drawing condemnation against the government for its failure to find culprits.

On a different context, indicating at the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal, he said the government would tighten anti-development and violent activities.

Prime Minister Oli, who is also the Chairman of ruling Nepal Communist Party, said, “No one can spread terror in the name of political revolution.”

Saying the people supporting monarchy are carrying out political activities in the name of religion, the Prime Minister said, “Don’t ever think about reinstating the monarchy by carrying our political activities in the name of religion.”

He urged the authority concerned to start a campaign to abolish the Chhaupadi system in the far-western region. Chaupadi system is a tradition practiced for centuries that banishes females during their menstruation period from the house.

“It is a matter of shame that the societies in Nepal are still practicing the Chhaupadi,” he said, adding that he has urged the authority concerned to start broader campaigns to abolish this system.