Girl elopes, father performs last rites

Motihari: A Bettiah resident has performed his daughter’s last rites, allegedly because she eloped with a man from a different caste.

Bettiah resident Arun Kumar Thakur owns a public distribution shop owner in the north Bihar town. His wife Mamata Devi is a former councillor in the town, 220km north of Patna.

Thakur observed the rituals on Saturday, disapproving of his daughter Neha Kumari’s decision. Asked about it, Thakur told The Telegraph over the phone: “Why do you want to meddle in our family matter? She (Neha) has left our house without caring for our reputation.”

Sources close to the family said Neha, 21, married Vishal Kumar, 22, without informing anyone on July 27.

When the marriage was discovered, Neha’s family met Vishal’s family and both parties disapproved of the union. “Suddenly on Saturday (August 4), the girl disappeared,” said a source close to the family, adding that was when Thakur performed the rites.

Vishal and Neha have given an application to the Kotwali outpost in Bettiah, urging the police to rehabilitate them at home. “Vishal’s family members have agreed. But neither Vishal nor Neha has approached the police or their families in person,” said Manish Sharma, officer-in-charge, Kalibag police outpost.

Courtesy: The Telegraph