DHANUSHA: Two persons have recently been arrested on the charge of raping a minor in Dhanusha district.

The victim, a nine-year-old girl, of the Lohana area of Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City-17, was allegedly raped repeatedly by her neighbours.

Police have arrested Sahadev Mandal (61) and Challitar Mandal (45), who live nearby the minor's house, in connection with the case. They reportedly abused the girl when she was alone at home, police informed.

They allegedly lured her to their houses offering chocolates, according to police.

The victim's father is currently abroad for employment. She lives with mother and younger sisters.

The girl was forced to endure the ordeal as the suspects had threatened that they would take her life if she shared the incident with others.

The incident came to light when a girl from the neighbourhood saw her peer being abused and told the victim's mother about it.

Meanwhile, the victim's mother was pressured by local community leaders to quietly settle the issue, but she refused and reported the incident to the police, said DSP Lalmani Acharya of the Dhanusha District Police Office (DPO).

According to DSP Acharya, a medical examination confirmed that the victim was raped. He, however, said police were facing challenges to collect the evidence as the case was reported with a delay of two weeks.