Dalit gets death threats for marrying non-dalit

CHITAHA (SUNSARI), Aug 16: Despite a government announcement of Rs 100,000 incentive for dalit-nondalit marriage, a dalit youth in Chitaha of Sunsari has been receiving death threats despite paying a fine of Rs 51,000 for marrying a non-dalit girl.



Pradip Kumar Ram, 18, is facing displacement from his village with relatives of the girl repeatedly coming to his house to threaten him.[break]

 

"The girl´s father Bhola Prasad Pal has vowed to kill me,” said Ram, who married Pal´s daughter Sonam on June 7. A meeting of village elders made Ram pay Rs 51,000 fine two days after the marriage. The sum was paid to the girl´s father. But Ram is still receiving death threats from the girl´s relatives.



“For five days, they have been coming to our house to thrash us and threaten to kill us all,” said Shakuntala, Ram´s mother.



The victims have accused village elders and political parties for doing injustice to them. Among those who made the family pay the fine is Ganga Prasad Meheta, former ward chairman, who is a CPN (UML) worker. The family was made to pay the fine even after the matter was taken to District Police Office, Inaruwa.



According to locals, the girl´s relatives have already married her off in Katihar, India.

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