Sarlahi, December 31:

One person was killed and five were hurt when a group of dacoits opened fire during their looting spree at Hempur VDC-1 of Sarlahi district last night.

The dacoits also looted cash and goods worth over one million rupees from fifty-five households of the VDC.

One 36-year-old Upendra Chaudhari of Bairiya Basti of the VDC died on the spot by the gunshot of the dacoits, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ram Bahadur Basnet of District Police Office said.

Chaudhari had tried to stop the dacoits when they were looting neighbour Pradeep Thakur’s house. The dacoits captured him and shot him in the head and chest in front of the Ram Janaki Temple, priest at local temple, Birendra Das, said.

Amiri Rai, Raj Kali Devi, Bijay Chaudhari, Derbheshwor Rai and Pradeep Rai are among the injured. They returned home after treatment at a local health centre. Outgoing District Development Committee member, Ram Naresh Rai said the dacoits even took Rs 200 saved up by some poor families.