2 held for killing woman, burying her in forest

Rourkela: Two men were arrested by K Balang police in Bonai sub-division of Sundargarh district on Wednesday for allegedly killing a woman and burying her body in a forest 17 days ago. Police said the prime accused had planned to murder her husband but ended up strangling the woman instead.The accused have been identified as Rushu Munda (45) and his associate Amika Munda (26), both residents of Swyamba village under K Balang police limits.According to police, Khairi Munda (45) had gone to Renjda weekly market on Feb 7 but failed to return home. Her husband, Charan Munda (50), searched for her but did not find her. On Feb 23, he received information from locals that his wife had been killed by two men from the village. He lodged an FIR at K Balang police station on Feb 24, naming Rushu and Amika as the accused.Police detained both men, and during interrogation, the duo led police to the Renjda forest, where the woman’s body had been buried. The body was recovered in the presence of a magistrate and sent for autopsy.During questioning, Rushu confessed that he targeted Khairi because her husband Charan allegedly visited his (Rushu’s) house frequently to maintain an illicit relationship with his wife. Despite repeated warnings, Charan reportedly ignored him. Rushu told police he had planned to kill Charan, but when he could not find him on Feb 7, he spotted Khairi returning from the market. When he confronted her, she defended her husband, which enraged Rushu. He strangled her on the spot and, with Amika’s help, carried the body to the forest and buried it, said AK Behera, IIC, K Balang police station.