PHIDIM: Police on Monday arrested three persons for their alleged involvement in murdering Lal Bahadur Khadka (46) of Phurumba-1 of Taplejung district.

The suspects have been identified as Suresh Lechharbo Limbu (32) aka Himal, Arjun Lechharbo (23) aka Goli and Sandeep Lechharbo (18) aka Senepe of Phurumba-1 of the district.

Khadka was found dead at his house in Phurumba-1 at around 6:30 am on June 7, 2016.

Following the incident, a joint police team deployed from the Regional Investigation Team and District Police Office (DPO), Taplejung, nabbed the trio yesterday. They were made public amidst a press conference at the DPO.

Police said the trio confessed that they murdered Khadka, according DSP Ram Bahadur KC of the DPO.

According to a preliminary investigation, the trio, a few days ago, had made a plan to rob Khadka's house and kill him.

As per the plan, they went to Khadka's house on the pretext of buying rice on June 6 and started drinking alcohol.

Later, they thrashed Khadka and asked for money and other valuables.

In the meantime, Arjun attacked Khadka with a khukuri on the back part of his neck, police said.

After the murder, they fled with cash and other goods.

Police said they have recovered a khukuri, an iron rod and a torch light used during Khadka's murder.

The clothes used by them during the crime were also recovered, police added.