Date:03/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/03/03/stories/2005030307650400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

`Annalu' unite lovers

By J.B.S. Umanadh

SIDDIPET, MARCH 2. For Yadaram Laxminarayana and Parsa Latha, John, the commander of the Maneru dalam, and 20 Janashakti naxals were the near and dear at their midnight marriage on Tuesday. The Hanuman temple in Ghambirpur village of Dubbaka mandal was the venue and the warring parents of the young couple stood and observed the proceedings with utmost reverence as the `annalu' were at the helm of affairs.

It all started a few years ago when the boy and girl belonging to the same community fell in love. Laxminarayana's parents had no objection for the matrimony but demanded a dowry of Rs. 2 lakhs. Failing to convince them, Latha's parents got her married to a young man of neighbouring Karimnagar district. Laxminarayana then created pandemonium at the venue of the marriage. Soon Latha's husband divorced her, bringing her back to Ghambirpur.

Laxminarayana's parents brought the whole story to the notice of naxalites.

Janashakti activists descended on the village at 9 p.m. on Tuesday and asked both families to gather at the temple. They made the couple exchange garlands and declared man and wife. They left the village at midnight.

No phone calls

During the three hours they spent at the village, the naxals took care that no one made any phone call from the village. As Ghambirpur has only cellular STD booth, all the mobiles were confiscated and returned only after the ceremony was over.