Ranchi, May 14: Six of a family were hacked to death at Debidih Patratoli village under Gumla district after a jilted lover unleashed a vendetta trail. He killed his grandfather, grandmother, maternal uncle, aunt and two cousins following a furore over an “illicit” affair. Kartik was in love with his 18-year-old cousin, who lived next door

The police have launched a combing operation in the district to track down the killers, identified as Kartik Oraon and his accomplice, Kedar Oraon, both of whom are absconding.

Villagers said for the past several years, Kartik Oraon and Sushiba Kumari, both 18, were in love with each other.

Though the “affair” went unnoticed initially, word soon spread much to the discomfort of the family. The teenagers were spotted at various places.

The villagers said two years ago, the matter flared up after the love birds eloped to their relatives’ place. Though the duo returned to their respective families, the affair became the talk of the town after Kartik expressed his love for his cousin and vowed to marry her. However, Sushiba’s family was family was against the relationship.

Eyewitnesses told The Telegraph that upset by the “discord” in the family, the Oraons contacted professional match-makers to find a suitable groom for Sushiba.

They also got in touch with their friends and relatives to hunt for a suitable boy.

Four days ago, the family, led by grandfather Birsai Oraon, (60) went to nearby Ghoratangar Toli under Ghaghra police station to negotiate with a prospective groom.

Villagers said enraged by the family’s initiative to find a suitable match for his cousin, Kartik, along with his friend Kedar Oraon, attacked the Oraon family last night.

Armed with a “tangi” (machete), the youths stormed into the Oraon residence and mowed down everyone who came on their way.

Such was the rage, that they wiped out the entire family.. Kartik even killed his cousin Sushiba and her 10-year old brother Sandeep.

“Ghuri Devi, Kartik’s grandmother was hacked to death and her body dumped into the family well,” said an eyewitness.

Villagers said her body was fished out of the well today by the police with the help of the local people.

Those victims included Birsai Oraon, 60, Kartik’s grandfather, his wife Ghuri Devi (50), Shani Oraon, Ghuri’s sister, Dilip Oraon (20), Sandeep Oraon, (10) and Sushiba Kumari with whom Kartik was in love.

The Gumla police have taken all the male members of Kartik’s family into custody as part of a pressure tactic to compel the murderer to give himself up.

Officials said the members of Kartik’s family have also been interrogated to find out the possible places where Kartik could have taken shelter after committing the crime.

Sources said with Kartik and his accomplice still eluding the police dragnet even after 24 hours and given the soaring crime rate in the district, police have planned a crack down.

“Police teams have fanned out in different areas of the city to nab the culprits. We are also going to search the houses of all Kartik’s friends and relatives,’’ a senior police official said over telephone from Gumla.