Chandigarh: Sanjay Pahwa : The Punjab Government has issued strict directions to stop honour killings in the state. Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab government said that the fresh directions and guidelines have been sent to all Deputy Commissioners, Magistrates and Senior Superintendents of Police and Commissioners of Police for strict compliance. According to the spokesman the threatening attitude of the parents/relatives in the wake inter-caste marriages by their wards and subsequently disrupting the law and order situation would be dealt with firmly. The security would be extended to such couples till they feel safe. He said that the Protection Centers have been set up to facilitate the young married couples with boarding and lodging for a period of six weeks after their marriage. Such couples would be given protection after submission of an application in the Court of district Registrar. The SSP concerned would ensure adequate security to the couples concerned. As per the fresh guidelines, the mediation/counseling cells would be set up in the offices of Commissioners/SSPs. Gram Panchayats in villages and special cells in the cities would counsel them to prevail upon the parents/relatives to reconcile to the married couples and not to take their step of marrying out of caste as a threat to their or family’s honour. The spokesman further said that the respect of their decision of marrying out of caste and region to life and liberty of such couples would be ensured failing which could give rise to create turmoil in the society. Directions have been issued that false cases should not be registered at the behalf of the parents/ relatives u/s 363/366/376 of IPC against such couples who are adults and can take their own independent decisions. However, the police should strictly handle the cases where involved couples were minors, he added. It was also directed that the cases of threats given to such couples prompting them to separate would be strictly curbed and action would be taken against the guilty. He said that though the liberty of citizens is to be respected but at the same time virtues like morality, law, justice and common good would not be overlooked for the orderly progress and social stability. The issue of compulsory registration of all marriages is also under active consideration of the government. It is worth mentioning that the fresh guidelines in this regard had been given after the directions of the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court in the CWP Asha v/s State of Haryana and others regarding honour killing.