Tamil Nadu gets 24-hour helpline for protection of inter-caste couples
What's the story
The Tamil Nadu government has informed the Madras High Court that a 24-hour helpline has been set up to investigate issues faced by inter-caste couples and offer them necessary assistance and protection. The counter affidavit was filed by Apurva Varma, Secretary, Tamil Nadu Home Department, on a contempt plea filed by K Samuelraj, state secretary of the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front.
Information
Woman committed suicide over parent's disapproval to her inter-caste marriage
The petitioner alleged that authorities had not complied with the directions given by the court in 2016 in the case of Vimaladevi of Usilampatti, who allegedly committed suicide by hanging after her inter-caste marriage was not accepted by her parents.
Details
Online registration facility, mobile app available for complaints
A SPecial cell has been formed in all districts and cities in TN, comprising district-level officers such as SP and DCP at the city level, to receive harassment complaints and threats to inter-caste couples. There is an online complaint registration facility in both the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems, and a mobile app wherein complaints can be filed by aggrieved persons.
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Details to be uploaded on police and government websites
The complaints can be sent to the jurisdictional police station online. "This prevents the necessity of the inter-caste couples and their relatives to physically go to the police station and give a complaint," the affidavit said. Details regarding the setting up of special cells with 24-hour helpline numbers in all the districts will be uploaded in the official, police and government websites forthwith.
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State govt wants to eradicate 'honor killing' completely
The is being done in strict compliance with the directions of the court to ensure the complete eradication of 'honor killing' in Tamil Nadu, and to create awareness about the steps taken by the government on the matter, the counter affidavit said.