When love becomes a crime

Suicides highlight crushing weight of family pressure and social taboos on young relationships

MITHI:

Like many other rural areas of the country, in many parts of Sindh, love is still whispered about, negotiated through elders, and often weighed against tradition rather than choice.

Relationships that fall outside customary boundaries can quickly turn from private emotions into public controversy.

In tightly knit rural communities where family honour and long-held social norms hold decisive power, young couples often find themselves with little room to profess their love and assert their will.

It is against this backdrop that two tragedies happened in the desert district of Tharparkar, once again spotlighting the quiet but painful clash between personal choice and societal expectations.

In the first incident, the bodies of a teenage boy and girl were found hanging from a tree in a forested area near Adhigam village in Nangarparkar, police said. The deceased were identified as Dyaram Kohli and Veeno Kohli, both aged between 14 and 15 years.

Police said they reached the scene after being informed by the heirs, shifted the bodies to the Nangarparkar Taluka Hospital for post-mortem examination and later handed them over to the families.

According to the families, the two teenagers were in a relationship. They said the girl's marriage had recently been arranged with another man, following which the pair allegedly took the extreme step.

A similar incident was reported in Tharparkar a few days ago, where two cousins were found hanging from a tree. Locals said the two were also said to be in a relationship.

Police have launched an investigation, saying that further action will be taken in light of the post-mortem report and statements of the families.

In a second incident, an 18-year-old girl was found hanging from a tree outside her family's hut in Jhuddo, police said.

The deceased was identified as Khatoon, daughter of Imam Bakhsh Maghanhar. According to eyewitnesses, the body was spotted hanging from a tree near the huts and the family was informed.

The body was shifted to the Rural Health Centre in Jhuddo for post-mortem examination.

Police said the cause of death would be ascertained after the post-mortem report, adding that all aspects, including suicide and foul play, were being examined. The parents told police that domestic disputes may have led to the incident.

With additional reporting by Azhar Jameel from Jhuddo