A 30-year-old mother and her 10-year-old daughter died in an apparent murder-suicide in Sarlahi district on Monday. Her two other daughters were admitted to hospital for poisoning.

Police said the mother, Gundru Devi, of Pipariya VDC-3 had fed poison-laced juice to her three daughters before drinking it herself.

Gundru Devi and one of her daughters, Chanda Kumari, were pronounced dead on arrival by doctors at the District Hospital. Two other girls, Puja, 13, and Radha, 3, were referred to a Birgunj-based hospital for treatment.

The victims were found by their neighbours after hearing one of the girls crying.

Gundru Devi’s husband, their only son and a fourth daughter were not at home at the time of incident. Deputy Superintendent of Police Sitaram Rijal said they have launched an investigation to find the motive behind Gundru Devi’s action.