Koraput: Police in Malkangiri district on Sunday arrested two persons on charges of sexually assaulting and murdering a 63-year-old woman on Dec 4.
The woman, who worked at hotels and houses, was found dead near a panchayat distribution office on Dec 5.
"Scientific teams, a dog squad and the district forensic team were deployed for the investigation. During the course of the inquiry, we zeroed in on the two accused," a police release stated.
The accused were identified as Kamalu Nag (38), a watchman, and Rakesh Dhali (30), a temporary pump operator. According to the release, both accused were known to the deceased.
"On the night of Dec 4, they called her near the pump house. The two forcibly sexually assaulted her. When she cried out in pain, they pressed her mouth, leading to her death," the release stated.
In an attempt to mislead the investigation, the duo dumped the body near the panchayat office.
Police said phone records were instrumental in tracing the accused.