Indian police search for men accused of raping and killing 3 sisters, aged 7 to 11

Indian people listen to a speaker, unseen, while they participate in a protest against a new sexual violence law as the parliament convenes in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Activists say the law is inadequate and it only partially followed the recommendations of a government panel set up after the fatal gang rape of a woman in New Delhi led to nation-wide protests. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) (The Associated Press)

Protesters hold placards near Indian parliament to protest a new sexual violence law as the parliament convenes in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Activists say the law is inadequate and it only partially followed the recommendations of a government panel set up after the fatal gang rape of a woman in New Delhi which led to nation-wide protests. The placards demand the removal of Indian Parliament's upper house's Deputy Chairman, P.J.Kurien who is facing rape allegations. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) (The Associated Press)

Police say investigators are searching villages in western India for suspects in the rape and killing of three young sisters.

The killing of the girls aged 7, 9 and 11 last week has horrified Indians still angry over the gang rape and killing of a student on a moving bus in New Delhi in December. The youngest girl had earlier been erroneously identified by Indian news reports as a 5-year-old.

The girls' bodies were found six days ago in a village well in Bhandara district in Maharashtra after they had gone missing from school.

The victims' mother said police did not take the case seriously and did nothing for several days until villagers held protests.

Police officer Abhinav Deshmukh said Friday that 30 investigators are now working on the case.