India, May 14 -- Amid incidents of attacks on couples who have entered into inter-faith or inter-caste marriages, the state government on Tuesday issued a nine-point standard operating procedure (SOP) for the protection of such couples. The SOP has been issued on directives given by the Supreme Court in 2018.

A special cell will also be formed at the district level under the superintendent of police or commissioner of police; a safe house will be provided to couples in need of such a facility; and the police will also provide security to couples under threat.

The SOP also includes a state helpline, procedures for the registration of FIRs, free legal aide to couples, a district-level review committee, and submission of report to governme...