Chandigarh: Several people today joined a protest called by civil organisations here to seek justice for an eight-year-old-girl, who was raped and killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district.  

The protest was organised by the "Concerned Lawyers of Chandigarh" and the "Chandigarh Help Group" at Sector 17 Plaza. "We are demanding justice for the girl who was raped and killed in Kathua," city-based advocate and member of the Concerned Lawyers of Chandigarh, Maninder Pal Singh Dhindsa, said.  

People carried placards having slogans such as "no more shielding of rapist", "human rights are not optional", "silence is betrayal-speak up" and formed humans chains. "Those behind this horrendous crime should be punished and the government should ensure that nobody influences this case in anyway," he said.  

The girl, who was from the nomadic Bakerwal community, disappeared near her house in Kathua on January 10 and a week later, her body was found in the same area.  

A Special Investigation Team, formed to probe the incident, has arrested eight people, including two special police officers (SPOs) and a head constable, who was charged with destroying evidence. Jammu has been tense since the brutal rape and murder of the girl. PTI