Patna, Jan. 10: Behind the rosy picture of prince charming arriving on a white horse and sweeping the princess off her feet is a story of suppression and struggle that women in Bihar have to face if they wish to see the dream come true.

Women, who choose to defy their families and marry whom they love, without caring much for caste or religion, have been approaching the police to keep their families at bay.

Some of them, who have already married against their parents’ wish, complain that their husbands are being threatened with dire consequences, including murder.

A senior police officer told The Telegraph that last month, a young girl from Danapur had approached the police to seek protection for herself and her husband. The girl’s family had threatened to kill her husband, whom she had married against their wishes.

The police had promised her protection, the officer added.

On December 26 last year, the Ram Krishna Nagar police station in Patna recovered the body of a young woman from a ditch. The girl, clad in a pair of jeans and T-shirts bore no injury marks on her body and the police suspected that she had been strangled to death. There was no confirmation of a sexual assault either. With no one coming forward to claim her body, the cops disposed of the body three days later. The police have still not got any calls with regard to the girl and they suspect it might have been a case of honour killing.

Similar cases have been reported earlier too. Around four months back, the Gaurichak police recovered the body of another girl who no one came forward to claim. The police again had no choice but to dispose of the body.

On November 24, a couple had tried to commit suicide by jumping off the Ganga bridge in Patna City under Alamganj police station. Their families had not expressed consent for their marriage and were pressurising them to separate.

The couple preferred to end their lives than to part. While the girl was rescued, the body of the boy has not yet been found.

Last year, during Chhath, a boy had shot a girl before turning the gun on himself at Alkapur locality under Gardanibagh police station. The girl was returning home with her sister-in-law after distributing prasad to her neighbours when the boy stopped her, spoke with her and then shot her dead.

The police later found out that the two of them were having a love affair.

A number of complaints have been lodged at police stations across the city, where young men or women or couples have sought police protection.

A police officer said they usually talk to the families and try to resolve the issue.

Patna City superintendent of police Manu Maharaj told The Telegraph that the police were always ready to protect and support such couples who were being threatened by their families.

“We are always there to help such couples. They should come to us and we will take steps for their safety,” said Maharaj.

Patna senior superintendent of police B.S. Meena said the police would hold interactive sessions with college students to enlighten them about the pros and cons of eloping. Meena also said once the girl and boy get married, they should declare their marital status at a police station or court to prevent themselves and their families from legal hassles in the future.

He added that the men in uniform would always protect the right of couples.