9 months ago
Two Pakistani Couples Cross Thar Desert for Love
Two couples from Pakistan, Toto and Meena, and Popat and Gauri, walked through the tough Thar Desert to reach India.
They are from the same area in Pakistan and belong to the Bhil tribal community.
They say they wanted to be together because their families and society did not allow them to marry.
The couples were caught by Indian authorities and are now in custody.
They are being questioned about their journey and their reasons for coming to India.
The first couple, Toto and Meena, walked for three days and 50 km, while the second couple, Popat and Gauri, walked at least 15 km before being caught.
Both couples claim they faced opposition and even violence if they tried to be together in Pakistan.
The authorities are investigating their stories and have charged them under The Passport Act and The Foreigners Act.
Two Pakistani couples, Toto and Meena, and Popat and Gauri, crossed the Thar Desert to reach India to be together.
They belong to the Bhil tribal community and faced opposition from their families and society in Pakistan.
Toto and Meena walked for three days and 50 km, while Popat and Gauri walked at least 15 km before being caught.
Both couples are in custody and are being questioned by Indian authorities under The Passport Act and The Foreigners Act.
Authorities are investigating their stories and considering forensic tests like brain mapping and polygraph tests.
- Who
- Two Pakistani couples: Tara Ranmal Chudi (Toto) and Puja Karsan Chudi (Meena), Popatkumar Nathu Bhil (Popat) and Gauri Gulab Bhil (Gauri)
- What
- Crossed the Thar Desert from Pakistan to India to be together
- Where
- From Lasri and Mungaria villages in Pakistan to Ratanpar and Balasar in Kutch, Gujarat, India
- When
- October 4 and November 24
- Why
- To escape societal and familial opposition to their relationships and to get married
Key facts
- Couples
- Tara Ranmal Chudi (Toto) and Puja Karsan Chudi (Meena), Popatkumar Nathu Bhil (Popat) and Gauri Gulab Bhil (Gauri)
- Origin
- Lasri and Mungaria villages, Sindh province, Pakistan
- Destination
- Ratanpar and Balasar, Kutch district, Gujarat, India
- Journey Dates
- October 4 and November 24
- Distance Covered
- 50 km (Toto and Meena), 15 km (Popat and Gauri)
- Current Status
- In custody, being questioned by Indian authorities
- Charges
- The Passport Act and The Foreigners Act
- Investigation Methods
- Dental mineralisation, bone ossification, brain mapping, polygraph tests
Quotes
Dashrath Velji Chhanga
Sarpanch of Gadhada-Ratanpar Juth (group) gram panchayat
“Then they saw some people sitting around a fire and approached them warily to ask for food.”
indianexpress.com
“The locals couldn’t call me immediately because there is no network in the area. But the next morning, they went to the area with cellphone range and called me.”
indianexpress.com
Kutch (East) Superintendent of Police Sagar Bagmar
Superintendent of Police, Kutch (East)
“Now that the second couple have given the same reason as the first, and at least the first couple have claimed they crossed over because they wanted to get married, we have to investigate whether or not there is any other cause.”
indianexpress.com
