An intercaste couple from Poovarasampatti under Chekkanoorani police limits here have blamed the police for failing to provide them security despite an order from the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court.
A. Thavasi Murugan, 24, belonging to a Scheduled Caste from the village, and G. Kavitha (19), hailing from an intermediate caste in Tirumangalam, fell in love and got married on February 8. On the same day, they approached Chekkanoorni police station, seeking security.
While Thavasi Murugan’s family accepted the marriage, Kavitha said that her family, who reached the police station soon after, vehemently opposed the marriage and insisted that she ended it forthwith. Thavasi Murugan said that he was threatened with dire consequences if he did not break the relationship. “Her uncle, who is associated with a major political party, threatened that I will not be allowed to live,” he added.
The couple said the police later intervened and allowed them to go to the bridegroom’s village. “Fearing their safety, we sent the couple to a village near Batlagundu for more than a month,” said A. Thedaselvi, Thavasi Murugan’s mother.
With the help of Evidence, a non-governmental organisation, the family moved the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, which directed Inspector of Police of Chekkanoorni station in the first week of March to take action to protect the life and liberty of the couple.
Meanwhile, Thavasi Murugan said Kavitha’s elder brother visited the place near Batlagundu where they were staying. “I do not know the purpose of his visit. But I saw him near the place where I took up job as a daily wager,” he said, adding that his visit made him worried about their safety.
Thedaselvi said she feared for the life of her son. “When we approached the police after the court order, they refused to provide protection but instead said that we could call the police if there was any trouble,” she said.
A. Kathir, Executive Director of Evidence, urged the police to ensure protection of the couple since failing to do so would amount to contempt of the court’s order.