Two girls, both aged five, from Rupandehi and Arghakhanchi districts have been raped in the last 72 hours.

In Rupandehi, a five-year-old was raped near Sita Colony in Devdaha Municipality on Friday evening. The minor was at home with her grandparents when the perpetrator took her out and raped her. She was found in a critical condition about 70 metres away from her house.

The girl, who had suffered from an excessive bleeding, is receiving treatment at Lumbini Zonal Hospital. Doctors involved in her treatment said the victim’s health is improving gradually.

Police detained six persons in connection with the crime on Friday night. However, five of the detainees were released on Saturday as their involvement in the crime was not established.

Inspector Rishiram Gharti Magar at the Area Police Office in Butwal said police have filed a rape charge against 18-year-old Jiban Khatri of Devdaha-7.

However, the victim’s relatives have expressed their dissatisfaction with the release of the five detainees before a detailed investigation into the case was conducted.

“Legal action should be taken against the accused as well as others who were onlookers of the crime,” said one of the victim’s relative.

Sexual assault on minors is unchecked in Rupandehi district. Thirty-six rape cases were registered in the District Police Office within the last five months. Forty-one minors in the district were raped in the last fiscal year.

Similarly in Arghakhanchi district, police on Friday arrested Dev Bahadur Sunakhari of Shitganga Municipality-8 on charge of raping a five-year-old girl. The suspect allegedly raped the minor while she was returning home from school on Thursday evening. Family members found her raped near the settlement.

The victim was taken to the district hospital for treatment. Investigation into the incident is underway, said police.