The police here arrested five persons, who were involved in the mass murder of four persons of a family after two months of the gruesome incident.

The murder took place on Friday night at about 2.30 am on the outskirts of the town in Paganai village, when the family members were fast asleep. The accused apprehended were identified as Ramesh Majhi (31), Sudam Majhi (27), Jayant Majhi (58), Upendra Majhi (43) and Chandan Jena (20). All are residents of Suelpur and neighbouring areas under the Town Police Station limits.

The police seized seven daggers from a hatchery pond at Nidhipada under Chandipur where the weapons had been thrown after the offence was committed. Besides, the police seized five cell phones and a Bajaj Discover bike.

A case under various sections of the IPC was registered and the arrested persons were forwarded to court on Monday, following their interrogation.

According to police, Ramesh Majhi, the principal accused, is a forest guard engaged under Kuldhia forest range. Although initially he pleaded to be innocent, by misleading the police that he was on duty on that night, yet he divulged the truth subsequently. Ramesh is the elder brother of Mahesh Majhi, who was murdered by Kharabela Majhi and others on October 27 last year.

“The incident is fallout of an acute family feud over a property dispute. Efforts are on to nab the others, who are at large,” said SP Niti Sekhar.

The police said 14 persons were involved in the murder case and five of them had been nabbed while the rest nine were absconding. The pistol from which one round was fired is yet to be traced.

The deceased included Prativa Mandal (40), her 19 -year-old daughter Suman Mandal and her 17- year- old son Subali Mandal and her 13-year-old nephew Bibek Majhi. The mother of Bibek, Anita Majhi had lodged an FIR with the Sadar police.