In a case of honour killing, an unmarried couple was murdered with sharp-edged weapons at Bhullar village, near Lopoke, about 25 km from Amritsar, on Friday night.
The victims, Amarjit Kaur, 19, and Sarabjit Singh, 23, hailed from the village. Sarabjit had returned from Dubai a couple of months ago after a three-year stay.
Their bodies were found lying in a pool of blood outside the village on Saturday morning. The police said the girl's father, Balwinder Singh, had surrendered. Amarjit's brothers are also suspected to be involved in the crime. A case has been registered at Lopoke police station.
Sarabjit's uncle Joginder Singh said, "The girl had called up Sarabjit a few months ago when he was in Dubai. This had led to a conflict between the two neighbouring families, even though the matter had been resolved later."
Sarabjit's relatives said he had gone to attend a function in the village on Friday night but did not return.
When contacted, Gurmeet Singh Chauhan, SSP Amritsar (rural), said, "It is learnt that the girl's family was against the affair. Her father allegedly murdered the lovers. He has been arrested, while his two sons are at large. Although the lovers were from the same caste, the girl's family did not approve of the relationship."