Chhotu Yadav, 30, and Soni Devi, 22, who are neighbours in a village in Katihar, fell in love and ran away to get married six months ago.
A couple in Bihar has been asked to pay Rs 50,000 as "protection money" or face assault for marrying despite belonging to different castes.
Chhotu Yadav, 30, and Soni Devi, 22, who are neighbours in a village in Katihar, fell in love and ran away to get married six months ago.
They claim their families came to accept the marriage but they were driven out by men from the girl's caste.
After five months in Katihar town, the pair returned to their village hoping that things had calmed down. But they claim that villagers have demanded a hefty price to be left alone.
"They say they want money because we ran away and got married. They said they will kill us if we don't pay the money. We have been pushed and shoved earlier, but they have threatened to do worse," said Soni Devi.
Her husband Chhotu Yadav, says he fears for his life. "I have been threatened and manhandled. They have told me to cough up the money or else they will kill us. I am from a very poor family. I can't pay this kind of money. I worked as a waiter for five months... I wasn't able to save any money. I don't know what to do."
For now, they have gone to the police, who say they will first verify their story.
"I have asked the local police station to investigate this. If it is true, we will take strict action against the accused," said Kshatranil Singh, Superintendent of Police, Katihar.
For now, the young couple is living in the village, in constant fear of being attacked.