POLICE in northern India are at a loss to find any motive for the murder of charity worker Michael Blakey.

The Dharamsala province does not have a high-level terrorist or criminal threat.

Michael, of Pike Hill, Burnley, had been in the region since June, trying to help refugee families get access to poverty relief and education.

He went missing from the Kirti Monastery, where he was staying, five days before his body was found.

A visitor to St John of the Wilderness Church made the grim discovery of Michael's body last Wednesday.

Santosh Patial, police superin-tendent, said: "Investigations are on and we are hopeful of getting vital leads from the monastery room where the victim was staying.

"It is yet to be established why he was murdered."

Michael was due to return home to spend Christmas with his family before heading back to India in the New Year for a further six months' charity work.

He was then due to start work on a Phd in London.

His father Paul paid tribute to his son.

He said: "Michael touched the lives of so many.

"He just wanted to go to India and help other people, but now we may never know what happened to him.

"Michael was a lovely natured person - very kind and thoughtful to others.

"He was always optimistic, exuding an air of hope and contentment.

"Michael was always quite a happy boy but never more so than when he was in Dharamsala.

"He was doing what he loved best - helping others."

Director of Tong Len, Anna Owen said: "The police believe that he died from injuries inflicted by stones.

"They have no leads as yet as to motive, but have indicated that they think more than one person was involved and that it is most probable that he was killed by persons unknown to him. Michael worked tirelessly for Tong-Len and was an inspiration to us all.

"He is irreplaceable in our organisation.

"My thoughts and prayers, and those of all of us associated with the charity, are with Michael's family as they try to come to terms with this devastating loss, a loss that stretches beyond the personal.

"The world and India in particular has lost a dedicated and ardent campaigner for human rights, a wonderful young man who was prepared to devote his life to the service of others." Indian newspaper the Tribune reported the church road area, where the body was found, had a deserted look after sunset.

The British Embassy would be informed after taking into possession the passport of the victim, said the police.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We have not yet had confirmation of his death and are waiting to hear from the Indian police authorities."

Michael's family are in the process of making arrangements to bring his body back to the UK for his funeral.