A man was allegedly beaten to death by the SLMM supporters in Jagarnathpur, Birgunj, on Monday night.

Police said the body of 20-year-old Rambinesh Prasad Kushawaha of Birgunj Sub-metropolis-26 was found in a paddy field.

Kushawaha’s elder brother Ram Prasad said his brother had gone to Lalparsa to visit their relatives early in the morning.

“We learnt about his death at night. The perpetrators had thrown his body and his motorcycle in the paddy field by the road to make it look like an accident,” he said. “We inspected the motorcycle and it doesn’t look like he had crashed at all. There are no skid mark on the road as well.” Meanwhile, a person has come forward claiming to have witnessed Kushawaha’s murder at the hands of SLMM men. The person claimed that Kushawaha was travelling with two other motorcycles ahead of him at night when the SLMM men tried to stop them.

“The first two motorcycles managed to escape but he (Kushawaha) was captured. The SLMM beat him after he refused to empty the fuel tank of his motorcycle,” the witness said.

It is learnt that the SLMM activists have been patrolling Jagarnathpur area for the past few days to control fuel smuggling.

Police said they have not yet ascertained the cause of Kushawaha’s death.

Superintendent of Police Rajubabu Shrestha said that when the police dispatch first reached the scene the road was still wet with petrol.  A police source said that some suspects behind Kushawaha’s death have already been identified.