TRICHY: The safe shelter temporarily accommodate inter-caste couples who face threats and hostility from their family members and caste outfits was opened in the city on Sunday. Apart from shelter, the couples would be given legal aid and security which will help them get their marriage recognised.Established by Adhalinaal Kadhal Seiveer (Therefore, Fall in Love), a private trust, the 345sqft facility is situated in Police Colony near the Navalpattu police training institute, around 7km from the city.“Couples who have married outside their castes and are facing threats can stay for a maximum of one week in the shelter free-of-cost. The period should be utilised by them to get their marriage legalised and find suitable employment for supporting their livelihood,” managing trustee of the trust, advocate Se Gunasekar told TOI.Inter-caste married couples who have a copy of the community service register (CSR) issued by police stations will be accommodated in the facility to safeguard them from caste-based violence.Though officials have rendered moral support for the shelter, the trust has applied for recognition from the district social welfare department. This will help police to officially refer inter-caste couples seeking refuge at the shelter.The trust said that establishing such safe shelters would make the government consider implementing the directive of the Madurai bench of Madras high court to constitute a special cell comprising police and district administration officials in all districts to safeguard inter-caste couples facing death threats.On Sunday, a gathering of inter-caste couples was organised by the trust in which they shared their experiences. Every year, the trust has been conducting such events a week before Valentine’s Day (February 14).

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