Missing Muslim cousins break silence after marriage:Say, ‘It was mutual decision’; appeal families to respect choice

Two cousin sisters who had been missing for nearly a week in Chhatarpur have married and released videos along with their husbands, urging people not to harass their in-laws. Notably, the men they married are also their cousins. In the videos, the young women stated that they had married of their own free will. They also warned that if any harm came to their husbands or in-laws, their maternal family members should be held responsible. Family had claimed they were minors The incident is from Naugaon in the district, where the two girls went missing on February 9. Their family had initially filed a complaint claiming both were minors. However, in the video that has now surfaced, the young women said they are adults and made the decision voluntarily. Left home to withdraw money, never returned According to the family, the two had left home on February 9 to withdraw money from the bank but did not return. Concerned relatives later filed a missing persons report at the local police station. The family also alleged that the police were not taking the matter seriously. Protest at police station over alleged inaction Following the alleged delay in action, members of the community gathered at the police station and staged a protest. During the protest, another woman accused the police of bias and alleged that her son had been assaulted. She claimed that despite filing a complaint, police failed to act promptly and instead waited for the other party to arrive, which angered the women and led to chaos at the station. ‘We are safe, not under any pressure’ On Sunday, a video of both girls surfaced. In the video, the Muslim girls are talking about marrying Hindu boys and leaving home of their own will. Without holding anyone responsible, they appealed not to harass the concerned boys and their families. In the video that has emerged, both young women, claiming to be adults, are saying that they willingly married two cousin brothers from the town. They said they are safe and not under any pressure. TI Balmik Choubey said that missing person reports were filed for both young women. Family members were expressing fear of kidnapping. Both young women are adults and are cousin sisters. After the video surfaced, police are working on recovering them. Legal action will be taken only after recording the statements of the girls.