Police in Haryana state, India have arrested four people over the murders of a couple who planned to marry despite the objections of their family.

Police say Dharmender Barak, 23, was beaten and beheaded while Nidhi Barak, 20, was beaten to death and burned in the Rohtak district. The woman’s parents, brother and one other person are in custody for the murders.

A police officer told the BBC the two college students were planing a wedding.

A BBC reporter who spoke to villagers attending the funeral for the victims said there was “no option” but to kill the couple for wanting to marry in the face of parental oppsition.

The police report states the couple fled their village on Tuesday and did not return as they planned to wed. The girl’s parents then contacted her and said if she came home there would be no harm done to her and her fiance.