A Hindu man and a Muslim girl allegedly committed suicide in Muzaffarnagar area of Uttar Pradesh, which witnessed widespread sectarian violence nearly two years ago, because their relationship was opposed by their families.
The bodies of Rajneesh Kumar, 21, and Imrana Bano, 18, were found hanging from a tree in Bhaura-Khurd village on Monday morning, media reports said.
The couple was in love but their plan to marry was opposed by their families. Local police officer Rajiv Kumar Gupta told The Indian Express they were in a relationship for five years and the girl was engaged to a Muslim man on Friday.
Another police officer told the media they were in love and had apparently entered into a “suicide pact” because society was unwilling to accept their relationship. Police said no suicide note was found but other items found at the site indicated that they allegedly committed suicide.
Sindoor and a mangalsutra were found at the spot and police said the couple had apparently marriage rituals, media reports said.
A police contingent was posted in the area to avert any possible trouble.
A police contingent was posted in the area to avert any possible trouble.
Imrana Bano's relatives said she and Kumar could not be traced since Saturday. The tree is in a compound owned by the girl's family on the outskirts of the village.
"They committed suicide because the two families were not ready to accept their marriage," Mohammad Idris, Imrana's uncle, was quoted as saying by the media.
The sectarian violence in Muzaffarnagar in 2013 claimed 59 lives and displaced tens of thousands.