Police in Magwe division’s Pwintbyu township have arrested two men, including a member of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party, in connection with the bloody murder of a rival opposition party member.

Ye Win, National League for Democracy party’s campaign committee member in Pwintbyu’s Thamanyin village, died on 25 July after he and a friend, Kyi Maung, were attacked by a group of men armed with swords.

Kyi Maung managed to escape after sustaining minor injuries and called out for help while fleeing. Villagers, who arrived at the scene, found Ye Win dumped in a nearby pond with several lacerations across his head.

Aung Win, NLD chairman in Pwintbyu, said Ye Win succumbed to his injures and died on the way to hospital but was able to identify the men who attacked him before passing.

“Before Ko Ye Win died, he was able to tell the [villagers] there were eight attackers including ‘that guy Win Maw’”, said Aung Win.

The suspects were identified as residents from Thamanyin and nearby Thayetgon and Thamongon villages. Police arrested four people and are currently holding USDP member Win Maw and a local resident named Tun Tun.

Win Maw was being investigated by officials after being accused of exhorting locals in an electricity scheme. Ye Win helped bring attention to Win Maw’s illicit activities.

The NLD member was known in the area for standing up to authorities and shining a light on the mistreatment of local residents.

According to the villagers, Ye Win and Win Maw had also harbored a feud during the campaign season that preceded the country’s by-elections in April. Win Maw is also known to be a close confidante of Magwe division’s Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Aung Naing.

Pwintbyu’s Police were unavailable for comment.