BARA: Chemist Uddhav Aryal of Parwanipur Bazaar in Parsa, who was kidnapped 13 days ago, was found murdered this afternoon. Aryal's body was found on the banks of the Bangari Khola at Manaharwa-5 in Bara.

According to Mahendra Pokharel, the Bara Superintendent of Police, the kidnappers strangled Aryal to death with a rope. Aryal had been kidnapped by a group of around 10 persons from his house. According to his neighbours, Aryal was a very friendly person.

His wife Chanda, fainted on hearing the news today. Aryal was kidnapped by the group saying that they would return him soon, family members said. The kidnappers had stayed in the house for three hours and asked the couple to prepare food for them before taking Aryal away.

"The kidnappers shut Chanda in her room and told her that they would return her husband soon," the neighbours said.

Besides Chanda, Aryal is survived by a son and two daughters. While the daughters have been living in Kathmandu, the son is living in Nepalgunj.

The police said Aryal might have been killed last night. His body has been sent to Kathmandu after a post-mortem in Kalaiya Hospital.

According to a family source, his final rites will be performed at the Aryaghat in Kathmandu tomorrow.

According to a local, Ramesh Sarraf, irate locals of Parwanipur Bazaar shut down the market demanding action against the culprits and compensation for the family. SP Pokharel said the police were working to track down the murderers.