Siliguri, Aug.3: The wife and daughter of a trader were murdered at Panchkelguri near here early this morning.

Avinandan Saha, the trader who claimed that a group of miscreants had entered his house and attacked his family, is under treatment at a private nursing home here. The sole family member, who has escaped unhurt, is his eight-year-old son.

The bodies of Rita, 28, and her daughter Payel, 10, were lying in a pool of blood in a room locked from inside. Both of them were hacked to death with sharp weapons.

The family lived at a two-storied house, whose ground floor has Saha's wholesale grocery shop and godown. The Sahas lived on the first-floor of the building.

Around 1.30am today, the neighbours heard Saha screaming at the top of his voice from the balcony of his house. He said robbers has barged into his house, attacked his family and taken away valuables.

The neighbours, however, found that the main entrance to the building was locked from inside and didn't see any miscreant nearby or escaping from the spot.

"Saha was carrying a chopper with blood marks. He had injuries and blood marks on the leg, face and upper portions of the body," a resident said.

Saha told the neighbours that he had snatched the chopper from the attackers.

The police found Saha's son in another room. "The boy appeared shocked. He was numb and did not even speak," said a police officer.

As the police searched the house, they found that there was around Rs 5 lakh in cash and gold ornaments of same value in wardrobes.

"There are a number of unanswered questions. We are trying to find the answers and also the motive behind the murders," a police officer said.