Sambalpur, Oct 21: Three persons of a family were allegedly hacked to death by their neighbour in Napada Village under Mahulapali Police limits of Sambalpur district.

Though the exact motive behind the crime is yet to be ascertained, past enmity over land dispute is suspected to be reason behind the triple murder.

The deceased have been identified as Heerabati Behera, her daughter Sabitri Behera and son-in-law Giridhari Behera.

As per reports, one of their neighbours hacked all of them with an axe. Police have started an investigation into the incident.