RAIPUR:

in Mumbai might have changed its stance against protesting on

but the youth wing in

's Korba district was out on moral policing and forced a young couple to garland each other at public place when they were caught at an isolated place on Sunday.

The outfit had announced that couples would be forced to tie rakhi or garland each other if found romancing at public places.

While the couple is yet to lodge complaint at police station, their pictures are all viral on Whatsapp and social media with garlands and Shiv Sena activists standing behind with flags.

A couple at a park close to Bhawani temple at Darri area was rounded up by the Sena guys and in a bid to escape from their clutches couple claimed that they were engaged, eye witnesses said. In stead of sparing them free, Sena activists got garlands from temple and asked them to perform ritual of garlanding.

Talking to TOI, Hemant Pandey, district in charge Shiv Sena said that they have already issued alert in police and public that the activists of Shiv Sena, Dharam Sena and VHP would raid parks, restaurants, temples and other public places and if couples are found pecking around, they would be asked to tie rakhi or garland each other.

"This couple was spotted at an isolated place and they tried to elope on noticing us. When asked, the boy said that the girl was his fiance, so we asked them for garland ceremony to which the guy didn't hesitate at all," Pandey said.

Though the couple reportedly was planning to lodge police complaint, Korba ASP Suresh Pauranik said that police were aware about such incident taking place and would investigate once the matter is reported.

Condemning his party workers' act Shiv Sena state president Dhanajay Parihar told TOI, ""despite issuing directives across the state to not indulge in anti-social activities and refrain from disturbing law and order. I am aware about this incident and the boys would be taken to task on February 28 during a state meeting.""

Parihar added that Shiv Sena had in fact vowed to go out on streets on Valentine's day and prevent eve-teasing, impressed with the gesture, there were few girls who had contacted us on Sunday pleading for help in their inter-religion marriages and bridge the gap between parents.

Raman Singh government had given standing instructions three years ago to government schools across Chhattisgarh that the idea of celebrating lovers' day on February 14 should be replaced with observing 'Matru-pitru diwas' (parents' worship day).

The idea was conceptualised by Asaram on his visit to state, who had suggested chief minister that Valentine's day celebration should be replaced with worshiping of parents to instill India culture among children.

While the schools were closed on Sunday, a huge pandal was erected at Telibandha lake in the evening to observe the day as parents' worship day. A huge poster of self-styled godman Asaram, now in jail facing rape charges under POCSO Act, was set up where his followers were distributing his booklets and prasad to people.