Couple seeks police protection for life after inter-caste marriage in Coimbatore

A couple walked into Gobichettipalayam police station in Tamil Nadu's Erode district today immediately after tying the knot in Coimbatore seeking protection for their life. This after the guy married a girl of higher caste, against her parents' wishes.

Ajit Kumar from Avinashi town of Tirupur, who hails from the scheduled caste community, fell in love with Gokila, a Hindu caste girl. When Gokila's family learnt about their relationship, they disapproved of their relationship saying that Ajit was from a lower caste.

Gokila's family members allegedly warned her of grave consequences and also went to Ajit's residence to threaten him.

AJIT KUMAR AND GOKILA ELOPED ON JULY 12

Ajit and Gokila eloped on July 12 and got married at Marudhamalai in Coimbatore. Fearing that they could be killed if they went back to their hometown as they belong to different castes, they approached the Gobichettipalayam police station in Erode and urged the police to save their lives.

The so-called Kongu belt, where the couple hail from, is infamous for incidents of dishonour killing that are reported at least thrice every year. Even after repeated pleas from many organisations and political parties from the state, no constructive policies have been formulated to abolish dishonour killings, forcing such couples to live in constant fear for their lives.

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