Madhesh Province was gripped by fear on Saturday following a series of murders. In Mahottari, former ward secretary Sushil Jha was killed by a group of robbers, and hours later, a security guard at Simara Airport, Rajkumar Rumba, was found dead inside a car.
Robbery and Murder in Mahottari
The first incident occurred in Manara Siswa Municipality-4, Mahottari, where 70-year-old Sushil Jha was killed during a robbery. According to police spokesperson DSP Santulal Jayaswar, Jha was fatally assaulted by the gang, which consisted of 7-8 individuals.
The robbers reportedly attacked Jha at around 4 AM, looted gold jewelry and Rs. 80,000 in cash, and fled. No arrests have been made so far, and the investigation is ongoing.
Body Found Inside a Car in Bara
Shortly after, another murder was reported in Bara district. The body of Rajkumar Rumba, a security guard at Simara Airport, was discovered inside a car (Bagmati Province 01-028 Cha 7616). The car belonged to police inspector Shrikant Tiwari, who works for the National Investigation Department.
Inspector Chiranjibi Dahal from the Simara Area Police stated that Rumba sustained head injuries caused by a blunt object, and initial investigations suggest he was murdered. The exact cause of death will be confirmed after the postmortem report is released, according to Bara police spokesperson DSP Prakash Sapkota.
Murder Near Durga Temple in Janakpur
The day before these incidents, a 61-year-old man, Arun Kumar Jha, was found murdered near Durga Temple in Janakpur. Police suspect that he was killed following a minor dispute, as a blood-stained brick, liquor bottles, cigarette stubs, and a pair of slippers were recovered from the scene.
Unidentified Body Found in a Sack
On Thursday, another grim discovery was made in Dhanusha’s Mithila Bihari Municipality-2, where a decomposed body of a 30-year-old man was found stuffed in a sack near Parashuram Pond. Police suspect that the man, whose identity remains unknown, was strangled to death before being disposed of.
Spike in Murder Cases Across Madhesh
The recent incidents are part of a disturbing trend of violent crimes in Madhesh. In Dhanusha alone, four murders have been reported in the past month.
A recent report by the Madhesh Province Police Office reveals that 36 murders have occurred in the region over the past six months. The victims include 24 men, 10 women, and two children. Sarlahi recorded the highest number of murders (6), followed by Bara and Mahottari (6 each), Dhanusha and Siraha (5 each), Rautahat (4), Saptari (3), and Parsa (1).
The wave of violence has left locals alarmed. Ghanshyam Jha of Mahottari expressed fears over the increasing trend of murders during robberies and minor disputes. He emphasized the need for enhanced police patrols to ensure public safety.
Social activists and security experts blame the rise in crime on factors such as open borders, unemployment, lack of awareness, and insufficient police action. Former SSP Shadanand Prasad Kurmi criticized the police for failing to implement effective crime prevention strategies.
Residents and experts are urging authorities to develop comprehensive crime reduction plans, strengthen border controls, and improve public awareness. Parents are also being advised to prioritize the safety of family members to help mitigate risks.
