Buddhist monk hacked dead in Bandarban

An elderly Buddhist monk was hacked to death allegedly by a novice monk inside a temple in Bandarban Sadar upazila today.

The body of Nainda Bhikku, 80, was found at a kitchen of Bakichhara Majer Para Buddhist Temple in the upazila this morning, our Bandarban correspondent reports quoting police.

Police arrested Chobida Sramon, 40, who primarily confessed to his involvement in the murder, said Golam Sarwar, officer-in-charge of Bandarban Sadar Police Station.

The OC said they have already recovered a chopper from the temple area following information of the arrestee.

The body was sent to Bandarban Sadar Hospital for autopsy, he said.

U Panditha Bhikku, principal of the temple, said Chobida is mentally unstable as he attempted to kill his mother two years ago.

Mong Kree Marma, who serves for the temple, said, “I saw Chobida fleeing from the temple around 5:30 am and found Nainda Bhikku’ lying in a pool of blood in the kitchen.”