DHANKUTA: Despite the government declaration to offer a reward of Rs 100,000 to the ones practicing inter-caste marriage, a couple has been taken into police custody for inter-caste union in Dhankuta.

The police arrested 22-year-old Laxmi Pariyar on the charge of getting married to 17-year-old Sita Shrestha. Laxmi was released, from the police detention owing to pressures exerted by the Dalit unions and civil society.

The police had taken the couple under control on the ground of reports given by the girl’s side charging that Laxmi had tricked and married their daughter. Later, the police been captured as the girl was underage.

Police Inspector Shiva Sharma informed that they had released the boy on the condition of holding further discussion to resolve the issue after they held meeting with representatives of Dalit Unions at the District Police Office on Tuesday.

Earlier, various dalit unions and civil society organisations in Dhankuta had condemned the arrest of the couple. BhojKumar Biswokarma, secretary, Nepal Utpidit Jatiya Mukti Samaj, Dhankuta said that detention of the couple who tied the knot at their own will had drawn their serious attention.