MUMBAI, 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 government. With regard to the special district-level cell, a district social welfare officer and district women and child development officer will work as its members. This cell will verify the age of the couple. Once it is confirmed that neither is a minor, an investigation will be initiated on the basis of their complaint. If necessary or if demanded by the couple, a safe house should be provided to them initially for one month, at nominal charges. This facility could be extended up to six months. This safe house should be given police protection, and the couple should receive police protection if they request it. The district collector will arrange the safe house facility, which could be a suite in a government guest house, any non-occupied staff quarters, or even a private house on a rental basis. Expenditure for the safe house will be provided from the funds of the social justice department. The couple will have to submit a self-declaration stating that they have married without any pressure and they will have to provide proof of age. If the couple or any one of them is a minor, the police will inform the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and will provide protection to them till the CWC decides on the matter. A helpline number 112 will be provided for complaints. Any information registered on the helpline about inter-caste or inter-religious marriages will be kept secret for the protection of the couples. If any couple comes to the police station with a complaint, claiming threat to their life, protection should be given immediately. Police should file an FIR and a senior officer will submit a report within a week. There would be a district-level review committee under the district collector. The director-general of police will file a quarterly report to the state government....