The victim identified as U Kyaw Thein (40 years old son of  U Shesar Aung) from Waland village in west Pharongar island of Pauktaw township, which is 30 miles east of Sittwe.

The incident took place in the morning hours, when U Kyaw Thein was keeping an watch on thieves for his farm, a village friend of the victim said.

“On that day, U Kyaw Thein went alone to his mountain farm getting information that some Bengali Muslim villagers from their adjacent village intruded his farm and even took away some vegetables and fruits,” the village friend added.

When U Kyaw Thein did not return to his home during the lunch time, his relatives went to the farm and found him deceased with severe sword’s injuries on the body.

“I am sure, it is the handiwork of those Bengali Muslim villagers. We have informed the police about the sword injuries on the body that point fingers to the Muslims,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, the burial of U Kyaw Thein was done in his village on January 14 after the autopsy in the Pauktaw township hospital.

A police officer from Pauktaw police station confirmed that the murder was committed by a group of people. However no one is detained or arrested in connection with the murder by the police till today.

“Our police team has already left for the spot. As we are still investigating the matter, we can not tell more at this moment,” said the police officer on duty.