Three more arrested in connection with Soti killings

RUKUM, June 11: Three more persons have been arrested in connection with the Soti murder that had occurred three weeks ago.

Nawaraj BK, Tikaram Sunar, Ganesh Budha, Lokendra Sunar, Sanju BK and Govinda Shaha — were killed when they, accompanied by 12 other friends, who had reached Soti village at Chaurjahari municipality in Western Rukum to take Nawaraj’s 17-year-old girlfriend belonging to a so-called “dominant” caste group as bride on 23 May, were attacked and chased away into Bheri river by the neighbors of Nawaraj’s girlfriend.

The bodies of Nawaraj and Tikaram were found in the riverbank next morning. Ganesh and Lokendra and Sanju were also found dead lying in the river bank on May 25. The body of Govinda was retrieved ten days after the incident.

Ghamanda Malla, Bishnu Malla and Sabin Pun from Ward No 8 of Chaurajahari Municipality-8 have been detained in the connection with the Soti murder, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Thag Bahadur KC in the District Police Office.

Two of them, who have been accused of their involvement in the killings by the victim’s family, were absconding since the incident while another one was held after investigation.

With the latest arrest of the absconding ones, the police have reached the investigation in final stage. Earlier, the police had arrested 25 persons in course of the investigation.

The District Police Office, Rukum Paschim, has informed that all of them were kept in detention and investigation was intensified