Ramanathapuram
After the Madras High Court expressed dissatisfaction with measures taken by the police to crack down on ‘honour killings’, the district police have formed ‘Anti-honour killing special cell’ to prevent honour killings and initiate remedial and punitive measures.
The special cell, headed by Additional Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) would function round the clock and those who required assistance could contact the cell by dialling the toll free ‘Hello Police’ number of 83000 31100, Superintendent of Police Omprakash Meena said on Wednesday.
The special cell to be directly monitored by him would be available round the clock for assistance, the SP said, adding couples who faced threats from parents and community leaders after inter-caste marriages could approach the force for assistance. Even local people and friends of inter-caste marriage couples who faced trouble could alert the police and their information would be kept secretly, the SP said.
As part of the awareness campaign, police launched distribution of pamphlets in schools and colleges on Wednesday and erected flex boards in villages and important locations all police sub divisions in the district, the SP said. Awareness messages were also being posted in social media, he said.
In the pamphlets and flex boards, the police warned that prevention of inter-caste marriage was an offence and stern action would be taken against those who targeted inter-caste couples. Police also offered to provide counselling for the parents of inter-caste marriages.
Police would address college students periodically and explain that there was nothing wrong in inter-caste marriages as long as the girl completed the age of 18 years and the boy, 21 years, he said.
