Madurai: Fear honour killing? Please call this number 0452-2346302. This is a simple message, the Madurai city police commissioner Mahesh Kumar Agarwal has for couples going for inter-caste marriages their friends, well wishers and social activists.
Launching this new initiative, which is a take off from a landmark judgment by Justice V. Ramasubramanian on a case related to honour killing of a girl Vimala Devi in September 2014 at Usilampatti, the Madurai city police have dedicated a landline for receiving complaint from the couples.
Justice Ramasubramanian in his order passed on April 13, 2016 directed the state government to create special cells in every district, comprising the SP, the district Social Welfare Officer and District Adi-Dravidar officer to receive petitions/ complaints of harassment or threat to couple of inter-caste marriage.
The special cells should create a 24-hour helpline to receive complaints, provide necessary assistance and advice as well as protection to the couple.
"Crime Prevention Cell in Madurai city commissioner office will function as special cell, and serious crime squad inspector has been appointed to investigate the complaints received from the couple," said S Sharmila, sub-inspector in the crime prevention cell (CPC).
The CPC would be monitoring on a regular basis of complaints received through the phone number. "We will also provide counselling for those couple to lead their life without fear," said Sharmilaji, who is trained to counsel such couples.
While welcoming the Madurai city police for this positive initiative, Samuel Raj, general secretary of Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front urged the state government to expedite the process of forming the special cells in other districts in Tamil Nadu.
Raj regretted that the government has not yet allocated sufficient funds for special cells in each district as directed by the court. As the objective is to prevent honour killings, government should act with responsibility, urged Raj.
