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arrested on Tuesday, a day after the killing. After the confession, the court sent both of them to jail. Mamata remains at large.

Quoting Bidhan’s confession, OC of Aditmari Police Station Nazmus Sakib Sajib said the dispute had erupted between the two families about two months ago.

“A village arbitration was held over the matter. Out of resentment, Bidhan killed the child to take revenge. His father and mother helped him secretly bury the body in a maize field,” the OC said, quoting the statement.

He added that police are verifying all information from the confession.

The investigation officer said police recovered a spade yesterday, allegedly used to dig the pit where the child’s body was buried. According to the preliminary investigation, the child was strangled to death.

However, speaking to reporters, the victim’s father alleged that his daughter had been raped before being murdered, saying the autopsy report would reveal the truth.

According to police, the child went missing on Monday afternoon after leaving home to play. Her body was recovered the following morning from a sack in a nearby maize field.

An hour after the recovery, police detained Bidhan and Ranjit on suspicion of involvement in the murder.

However, locals later formed a mob and attacked police in an attempt to snatch the suspects. The violence left several police officers injured, government vehicles vandalised, and houses torched.

Lalmonirhat Superintendent of Police Md Asaduzzaman said investigators aim to submit the charge sheet within the next seven working days and will seek a speedy trial.