Kathmandu , Oct 6 Expressing concern over the failure of the government to ensure human rights of the people, a watchdog has asked the authorities in Nepal to punish those involved in the rape of a teenage girl and humiliation of an elderly woman during the recent Dussehra festival.

A 17-year-old girl of Sanosirubari village in Nepal&aposs Sindhupalchowk district was gangraped by a criminal group on October 3 during the Dashain, which is close to the Dussehra festival. On the same day, a 60-year-old woman Somati Devi Sardar of Hatimuda-8 village in Morang district was forced to eat human faeces for allegedly practising witchcraft.

Human Rights Alliance, Nepal, expressed concern over the two incidents, describing them as violation of human rights. It asked the authorities to step up security and take action against the culprits.

The present government has failed to protect their human rights and prevent the violence against the women, the watchdog said in a statement.

Earlier, a policewoman had been gangraped by her colleagues during the festival at her office in Achham district. No one has been arrested in connection with the rape of the policewoman, the Alliance said, adding it challenges the government&aposs security mechanism and also shows the lawlessness in the country.