Local people in Mahottari have been terrified after the abduction and subsequent murder of two children within a week in the district. Parents are scared to send their kids to school.

Eight-year-old Chiranjibi Mahaseth, son of Rabindra Mahaseth of Bhatauliya-6, was abducted on January 10. Four days after the incident, Nishchal Pandey, 11-year-old son of Navin Pandey of Jaleshwor Municipality-12, was also kidnapped.

According to the District Police Office, Chiranjibi’s body was found in a wheat field in Ekadara VDC-7 while Nishchal’s body was found buried on the bank of Rato stream. Superintendent of Police Janak Bhattarai said abductors in both incidents demanded a hefty amount for the release of the kids.

Police arrested three people in connection with Bhatauliya incident while four others were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in the abduction and subsequent murder of Nishchal.

Local people complained that the criminal activities are on the rise as police posts were displaced from in various rural areas in the district. “The security situation has worsened in the recent days. Guardians are now very worried over the security of their children,” said Kamalesh Mandal, a Mahottari-based journalist.