The incident occurred at Karahkol village of Deoria, 475 km from state capital Lucknow. Police have so far arrested two people in this connection and raids are being conducted at several places to apprehend other culprits.

Police said a girl named Manju was in love with a boy named Ranjit of the same village. The boy's family opposed the relationship, and the matter was taken to the panchayat. At the panchayat meeting, Manju's mother pleaded that since the two loved each other, they should be allowed to marry.