Chandigarh, Aug. 24 :    Chandigarh, Aug. 24:  Former Independent MLA of Haryana Relu Ram Punia and seven family members were beaten to death by unidentified persons at their farmhouse near Litani bypass in Hissar district last night. The mutilated bodies were discovered by villagers who entered the house after Punia and his family members failed to show up at the place where villagers gather in the morning. Punia had represented the Barwala constituency in 1996. Hissar superintendent of police Rajpal Singh said iron rods were used to kill Punia, his wife Krishna, daughter Priyanka, son Sunil, the latter's wife and their three children. 'Preliminary investigations point to a family feud. But we are exploring all angles. Another of Sunil's daughters, Sonia, who was rushed to hospital by the villagers, is in a critical condition. She holds the key to the killings. There was a party in the house last night and we are gathering information about the invitees,' Singh said. Expressing shock and grief over the murders, chief minister Om Prakash Chautala said the government stood by members of the bereaved family. 'The culprits will not be spared,' he said in a message. Chautala, who was informed about the incident in the morning, has directed the police to probe the killings. He is scheduled to visit the village late in the evening or early tomorrow morning. Senior district and state officials have rushed to the spot. A district official, camping at the site, said: 'The killers came with the aim to eliminate the family. It seems to be an inside job. There are signs of resistance by the victims, but only a thorough investigation will throw more light on the incident. Injuries are not only on the head but all over the body. The only survivor, Sonia, who is battling for life, is our clue to the gruesome killings.' He said by taking Sonia to hospital the villagers have helped save the life of the key witness. Haryana Congress chief Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the incident pointed to the crime spiral in the state. Offering condolences to the bereaved family, Hooda said: 'It is a shocking incident and should be condemned. But at the same time it is a reflection of the growing crime rate in the state. Criminals are finding ready shelter under the Chautala regime in the state. The government is also releasing criminals convicted in murder cases.'