Petrified parents plan to leave 'Khap territory' for safety

Karnal, Sep 3 (UNI) The parents of the 11-day-old baby, who was rescued from the clutches of a community panchayat here and restored to them by Haryana police, have left for an undisclosed location and planned to move to a metropolis to escape the draconian diktats of their village elders.

Though the mother of the child Kavita told UNI that she was relieved that she was finally united with her family-- husband Pawan and new-born Ankush-- who she had feared she would never be able to see again.

She also thanked media for supporting their cause and prompting the police to swing into action. However, despite assuarances of security from the state machinery the family has left for an undisclosed location.

They planned to move to Mumbai later to escape from the influence of the medieval Khap panchayat of their village Katalheri, who had taken away their infant son two days ago and also ordered the couple to separate declaring their year-old marriage ''null'' as both belonged to the same gotra in lineage-Bhombak.

''We will go back to Mumbai and will never return to our village'', Pawan said petrified of the Khap which seemed unrepentent of its actions even now.

After wide media coverage and a public outcry, the police recovered Ankush from a village near Karnal late last night and booked six people for abduction and criminal intimidation.

However, no arrest had been made so far.

''We do not want to act in haste and investigation is going on'', S P (Karnal) Mr A S Chawla told UNI.

Police sources said the family had been advised to stay away from Katalheri as the things could take an ugly turn in a possible backlash from the villagers considering the ostracisation normally takes place when a Khap panchayat issues a diktat of this kind.

The panchayat though on a backfoot now, seemed to be unrepentant.

They said their decision is in keeping with the tradition.

''It is matter of (honour for) whole Bhombak biradari, of the whole society. Taking recourse to the legal system, even if you hang us, the whole biradari (community) would eulogise our sacrifice''.

declared Rambir Bhombak, a member of the panchayat.

In rural Haryana, marriage within the Gotra is a taboo- akin to incest, he said.

UNI