Youth protests to stop paramour's marriage

Darjeeling: Anant Barman has been sitting in a dharna for the past two days in front of a girl's house. He claimed he had an eight-year relationship with the girl. The dharna was in protest of her parent's plans to get her married off to another youth. The incident occurred in College-para, Dhupguri, in the Jalpaiguri district. Armed with placards displaying photographs and a mosquito net, Anant refused to budge, demanding that he should be married to the girl.

The family members of the other youth from Alipurduar with whom talks were on for the girl's marriage arrived at her house on Monday but was greeted by heavy protests from Anant. Police complaints by the girl's family failed to deter Anant.

As news spread about this unique protest hundreds thronged to College-para. Street-side food stalls also sprung up. It was more like a village fair. Owing to the crowd the girl's mother fell ill and had to be admitted to the hospital. The local councilor and important personalities of the locality finally stepped in. They initiated talks between the both the families. Finally Anant and the girl were married late on Monday evening.