Protests continued throughout Wednesday in Bardibas following the rape and murder of a six-year-old girl. The minor, who had gone missing on Sunday, was found dead near her house on Monday. Initial investigation showed that the minor, resident of Bardibas Municipality Ward No 14, was raped and subsequently murdered, police said.

The local administration had imposed a prohibitory order from 9am on Wednesday till 6am on Thursday to contain the situation. But on Wednesday, locals came out in strength to continue their protests demanding justice for the deceased. A clash ensued between police personnel and demonstrators at noon.

Rajan Chapagain, deputy superintendent of police at the Area Police Office in Bardibas, said, “Two police personnel were injured in the clash. They are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.”

Police also lobbed teargas canisters to control the mob. “Protesters pelted stones and glass bottles at police personnel," said Chapagain.

The situation took a turn for the worse when news of the death of one of the injured protesters became public. On Tuesday, three persons had sustained critical injuries when security personnel opened fire at the protesters. One of them died while undergoing treatment at Grande Hospital in Kathmandu on Tuesday night.

Protesters then staged demonstrations demanding martyrdom for the deceased man and compensation for his family and the two other injured persons.

“The locals are demanding that the deceased be declared a martyr and appropriate compensation be provided to his family,” said Chudamani Pokharel, chairman of Ward No. 1 in Bardibas. “An 11-member team coordinated by Chiranjibi Hamal, a leader of Nepali Congress, has been formed to seek justice for the minor and other victims' families.”

Police have arrested 25-year-old Arun Kumar Sah, the minor’s neighbour, for his alleged involvement in her death. The six-year-old girl’s body wrapped in a sack was recovered near her residence on Monday night. The victim’s family claim the minor was kidnapped, raped and murdered by Sah. On Tuesday, the body was sent to the provincial hospital in Janakpur for postmortem, police said.