A man working at crusher factory in Panauti of Kavrepalanchok district was apparantly killed by his friends following a dispute over gambling on Saturday night.

Police said Som Bahadur Ghalaan, 23, of Gokule-4, working at Dhaneshwor Pebbles Factory, was killed by his friends after dispute arouse while they were playing cards.

Inspector Anil Ghimire at Area Police Office, Banepa, said Ghalaan and his friends had gathered on Saturday night and sat to play cards after consuming alcohol. Following a dispute, Ghalaan was struck by a rod by his friends, police said. He was first taken to Seer Memorial Hospital, which referred him to Madhyapur Thimi Hospital. Police said he died during course of treatment.

Ghalaan's family members and relatives, however, said he was murdered in the factory and accused the factory owners of trying to conceal the body. They have been staging a sit-in on the premises of factory.

Police has arrested four persons, all working in the same factory, suspecting their involvement in the incident.