A forest security guard of Area Forest Office, Khokling, in Taplejung district was murdered apparently over a land dispute on Sunday.

The murdered guard, Ganesh Shahi, a native of Dasera VDC-8, Jajarkot district, was hacked to death, DSP Ram Bahadur KC said.

Police have arrested the suspect, Sabin Limbu of Khokling-8, based on preliminary investigation. Limbu, who had allegedly fled from the crime scene, was arrested on Sunday. He had allegedly chased Shahi from local Bishnulal Panta’s house and killed him.

Shahi’s body had been decapitated and there were cut wounds on his hands, a local at the incident site said. His head was recovered from a chasm nearly 2 km down the scene.

Along with office bearers of the community forest, Shahi had gathered at Panta’s house to settle a dispute over demarcation of land. A long discussion was held on Saturday to settle the dispute after Sabin’s private land seemed to be included in the community forest area.

Shahi had returned to his residence with an understanding to resolve the dispute on Saturday. He had been living at Area Forest Office nearby the police post.

According to KC, after the discussion began on Sunday, Limbu snatched Khukuri from another person and began chasing Shahi. Shahi’s body was found some 150meters down the meeting venue.  

It has been learnt that Limbu is also village chairman of NC-aligned Nepal Tarun Dal. However, the NC said he had already abandoned the party.