Baleshwar: Over an alleged one-sided love affair, a schoolteacher attacked five members of a fellow teacher’s family with a scythe in Baleshwar district on Tuesday.

The critically injured victims have been admitted to hospitals in Khaira, Oupada and Soro for treatment.

The incident occurred at Patana village under Oupada police station in the district.

According to reports, Pruthviraj Kar, a teacher at Oupada High School, had allegedly developed feelings for a woman teacher at the same school. Her family reportedly opposed the relationship, following which a dispute had been simmering between the two sides for the past few days.

On Tuesday afternoon, after school hours, Kar allegedly went to the teacher’s residence in Patana village and attacked her and four members of her family with a scythe.

The injured have been identified as teacher Suchismita Sethi, her father Krushnachandra Sethi, mother Prabhasini Sethi, grandfather Babaji Sethi and brother Jyotirmaya Sethi.

Locals rescued the injured and rushed them to nearby hospitals for treatment.

On being informed about the incident, Oupada police detained the accused teacher and seized the alleged weapon used in the attack.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident. Further details regarding the condition of the injured and the exact circumstances leading to the attack are awaited.