Two men have been arrested in connection with last week’s murder of a Tbong Khmum province activist for the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, a killing believed to have been sparked by “individual revenge”, police said yesterday.

On Wednesday, 55-year-old CNRP representative Khin Eab was fatally hacked on his head with a scythe when walking in Tbong Khmum district, in the province of the same name, after leaving his brother’s home in Chikor district. His possessions and cash were not taken.

Tbong Khmum provincial police chief Mao Pov said suspects Ry Seth and Chon Kimcheang, farmers from Chikor commune’s Khtum Kandal village, had been arrested on Thursday and Friday, respectively, for suspected involvement in a brawl that led to the murder.

“We won’t know clearly how the brawl led to the [murder] until we arrest [a third] offender, who has escaped,” he said.“The victim was having a meal with a group of people [at his brother’s house],” Pov said. “Then an old dispute resurfaced and, after the meal, [the victim] used a bamboo stick to hit others first.”

“[Somebody] may then have grabbed the weapon and hit [the victim] in the head, which led to his death,” he speculated. Seng Seangly, the CNRP’s executive director for Tbong Khmum province said it appeared five people were involved, “but the other three are still at large”.