Balangir, March 8: A couple was burnt to death in Belpada village under Bangomunda police station late last night. The deceased have been identified as Bhubaneswar Meher (55) and Belamati Meher (50).

Sources said the accused locked the house while the couple was asleep and set it on fire. Their son Kejraj and his wife stay in another house nearby.

Preliminary investigations hinted at the involvement of relatives with land dispute as the reason behind the murder. However no arrests have been made yet.

Police said that a scientific team had arrived in the village to help in the investigation.

Police sources said the relationship between Bhubaneswar and his cousins had become strained owing to a land dispute. A few days ago, a quarrel took place between Bhubaneswar and his cousins and the matter had landed in the police station.

Bhubanswar’s son Kejraj Meher said that he and his family used to live in a house near their parental home. “Late in the night, I awoke at the sound of people screaming. I came out of my house to see my parents’ house on fire. With the help of villagers, I managed to break open the door which was locked from outside. Inside, I found my parents burnt dead and beyond recognition,” Kejraj said.

Kejraj lodged a complaint with the Bangomunda police station soon after the incident. Inspector-in-charge of Bangomunda police station Subhash Chandra Mishra said that preliminary investigation by police pointed towards the involvement of relatives.

“There were some problems between the deceased and his cousins a few days ago. They are suspected to have committed the crime. We have not arrested anyone yet because they are absconding,” Mishra said.