Honour killings: Punjab moves to protect its couples

In order to prevent honour killings in the state, the Punjab government has established centres at the district level to provide protection to newly married inter-caste couples.

Home affairs and justice department said that such protection homes have been established at Barnala, Gurdaspur and SAS Nagar (three in each district), five in Mansa, four in Hoshiarpur, two each in Faridkot and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar districts and one each in other districts, under the supervision of the respective deputy commissioners.

The spokesperson said that the centres would provide security, boarding and lodging to the couples at reasonable cost for a period of six weeks after their marriages.

He said that such couples can get protection by applying for it in the court of the district registrar who might direct the deputy commissioner or the head of police force.

He advised newly-wed couples to contact their respective deputy commissioner or senior superintendent of police for any help any time.