A woman was found murdered at a forest in Manthali Municipality-1, Ramechhap, on Saturday. Police identified the victim as Indra Khatri Bishwakarma of Ramechhap Municipality-4. Preliminary police investigation suggests that the victim might have been murdered on Saturday morning. The incident came to light as security personnel reached the site to rescue a 14-month-old girl, who happened to be Indra’s daughter, found in the forest. Locals, who were at the forest to graze their cattle, had informed police that they spotted the baby crying there. The body was few metres away from the site where the baby was found. A shawl was tied around the neck of the woman while her head was mutilated, said police. The body was taken to Primary Health Centre in Manthali for postmortem. According to the District Police Office, the woman with her maternal house in Chhinchu-1 in Surkhet district came to Ramechhap a few days ago with her 14-month-old daughter. She had been staying at a hotel in Bhaiseshwor.

Investigation officers said the victim came to the district to meet her husband Ramesh Bishwakarma. It is learnt that Ramesh is a Nepal Army soldier who was at home on leave. According to a hotel owner where Indra had previously stayed, the victim went to Sukajor to meet her husband on Friday and did not return. Some important documents including the woman’s citizenship certificate, marriage certificate and the girl’s birth certificate were recovered from her hotel room. Local villagers said Ramesh had recently married for the second time, apparently creating dispute with Indra. A detailed investigation into the incident is underway, said police.