Mahottari, January 5:

A gang of looters murdered a Rastriya Banijya Bank security guard at its branch office in Sindhulimadhi before taking Rs 3.8 million from the bank last night.

According to bank manager Bishnu Hari Khadka, the gang took security guard Ganesh Shrestha and his weapon under control and slit his throat before looting the cash from the bank.

The gang reportedly entered the bank during the load-shedding hours at 12:30 am and took the bank under control for nearly an hour. After murdering Shrestha and looting the cash, they broke the back door of the building and escaped.

“The looters took Rs 450,000 of Rs 50 denomination and Rs 3.35 million of Rs 100 denomination,” Khadka said, adding, “The looters left Rs 200,000 at the bank’s back door while escaping. They also had not taken Rs 350,000 kept at the cupboard.”

Sindhuli CDO Sagarmani Parajuli said a police team reached the bank and started investigation immediately after receiving the information. “Large number of police personnel have been mobilised and entry points to neighbouring districts have also been closed,” Parajuli added.

Meanwhile, district-based organisations and Professional Alliance Network closed all the government offices in Sindhulimadhi to protest the murder. “The government offices have been closed demanding punishment for the culprits, declaration of Shrestha as martyr and compensation for the victim’s family,” the Network said.