RAUTAHAT: A woman was killed in Rautahat's Santapur VDC last night for not bringingenough dowry.Manju Devi (19), wife of Rambhajan Shah of Naya Basti Tole in Santapur-6, was burned to death. Police found only her skeleton as the body was set on fire after sprinkling kerosene all over. Shah family is at large following the incident.

A resident of Rajdevi VDC, Manju was married four years ago. Her family had promised to provide Rs 15,000 as dowry and had paid Rs 10,000. Manju's brother Upendra Rauniyar claimed that she was killed for not bringing the remaining 5,000 rupees. She had miscarried an eight-month fetus last year due to her husband's beating. Locals said Rambhajan, after the quarrel at home, had taken her two kilometres away into a jungle before setting her on fire.

The police collected her remains from the spot. SP Pitambar Adhikari said the neighbours had informed the police that she was killed for not bringing dowry.