President Bidya Devi Bhandari has called on the stakeholders concerned to bring the perpetrator(s) in the rape and killing of Nirmala Panta of Kanchanpur to justice.

"All sides should be sensitive for punishing the criminals by bringing them under the purview of law, becoming mindful of the notion delayed justice is justice denied," the Head of-the-State said. 

Addressing a programme organised to mark the National Children's Day-2075 BS in Kathmandu on Friday, the President said it was a matter of sadness that Nirmala's parents and family were desperately waiting for justice. 

Saying that she was deeply saddened by the murder of Nirmala after rape, President extended condolences to the bereaved family. It may be noted that the 13 year-old-girl of Kanchanpur was killed after rape on July 26. 

The Head-of-the-State called on all sides to put the fundamental rights of children guaranteed by the constitution into practice and mentioned that only effective and practical enforcement could end violence and exploitation against girls. 

Police, civil society and family should be united to combat violence, abuse and rape of children, President said. "Sexual violence against children is a taboo against humanity and this must be eliminated." 

Children of today are competent and capable citizens of the future; their health and education should be the special focus and priority of the government since their birth, according to the President. 

The government observed this year's National Children's Day around the theme- "Happy Nepali, Prosperous Nepal; the Rights of Children, Concerns of All." 

Also addressing the ceremony, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizen, Thammaya Thapa, said the Ministry had presented a bill at the parliament to bring an act required to implement rights of children enshrined by the constitution. 

She highlighted the need for combined efforts to fight against violence, abuse and rape against children. 

Secretary at the Ministry, Buddhi Bahadur Khadka was of the view that the local government should be more sensitive to end violence against children. 

Sabita Thapa, a tenth grader at Jorpati-based Khagendra Nawajivan School, shared that lately there was no atmosphere for girls to walk up confidently on the street. 

Child rights activist Gauri Pradhan asserted that government of all three levels should follow the child-friendly policies, calling the children as 'zone of peace'.