The victim is identified as 50-year old U Maung Thein Nu from Thay Kan Village in Minbya Township.

Ko Rar Kyaw, a local resident who saw him in the hospital, said he has sustained serious machete-wounds to his groin and hands from the attack.

“The machete wounds on his groin and right hand are very serious. He is still in a worrisome condition though he is being given the best possible treatment in the hospital”, said Ko Rar Kyaw.

He said U Maung Thein Nu was attacked by a group of 20 Muslims from Sam Balay Village around 3 pm on 2nd of December whilst returning to his village after visiting Na Ram Village under Sam Balay Village Tract in the area.

“The Muslim villagers ran away as he shouted for help and the nearby Arakanese villagers rushed to the spot. He had to be sent to the hospital in Minbya immediately because his wounds were very serious”, he said.

According to him, five Muslim villagers suspected of the attack have been arrested by the police while another suspect known as U Kyaw Zan Hla who allegedly led the attack has escaped.

The in-charge of the Minbya Police Station declined to say anything about the incident when he was contacted by Narinjara.

The local authorities and elders are said to have persuaded the Arakanese villagers in the area not to retaliate against the Muslim villagers as they are angry over the attack and have been gathering to retaliate.