Imphal: Civil society organisations took out a torch-lit rally in Manipur's Imphal East district on Friday evening, demanding justice for the eight-year-old girl, who was gangraped and murdered at Kathua in Kashmir, as well as other rape victims and capital punishment for rapists.

The silent rally was taken out from Minuthong Hatta to Palace Compound Road junction, a 2km stretch, under the banner of Minuthong Hatta Social Welfare Union, Imphal East, and Integrated Youth of Manipur in solidarity with the nationwide cry for justice to the girl and other rape victims.

The rallyists demanded capital punishment for the heinous crime of rape, saying it is not only a crime against women but against humanity.

Minuthong Hatta Social Welfare Union general secretary M.A. Manan condemned the brutal and cowardly act of raping and killing eight-year-old. "No right-thinking person can commit such a crime. The perpetrators of such heinous acts have no moral right to live. We demand justice and pray for capital punishment for the culprits. It is high time stringent measures are taken so that such crimes are not repeated," he said.

"We are showing our solidarity with women whose lives and dreams were shattered for no fault of theirs," he added.