Hardoi:  A class eighth student was killed by slitting her throat with a sharp-edged weapon and later her body was thrown in the field in Pachdeora area of Hardoi district here in Uttar Pradesh, police sources said here on Saturday.

Police sources said that the body of the girl lying in the pool of blood was found by the villagers, who informed the police.

"The deceased was identified as a resident of a neighbouring village and a student of class eighth. The body was in a disheveled condition and a cloth was stuffed in her mouth," they said.

Police sources said that the villagers suspect that the girl was murdered after rape. Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajesh Dwivedi along with Circle Officer (CO) Shahabad Hemant Upadhyaya and field unit inspected the spot and collected evidence, they said.

Police sources said that a police team also inspected the house of the victim.

"It is being suspected that the girl was killed by a person close to the family," they said.

(With UNI inputs)