Flouting social distancing norms, around 100 villagers from Chatakpur marched to Bero police station on Thursday demanding arrests in the murder of Sachin Gope, 22, of their village.

Gope was allegedly killed by a 16-year-old girl on Tuesday night after he refused to marry her despite them being in a relationship for two years.

The villagers would have reached the police station covering 4km from their village if the police had not stopped them midway.

“Police stopped the villagers 500m from the police station and made them sit in Mahadani Maidan. After two hours the villagers returned when the police assured them of action,” a villager said.

SP (rural) Sachin Kumar said: “We have registered an FIR. During primary investigation, no one other than the girl seems to be involved in the murder. She has surrendered. The villagers also demanded the arrest of seven more persons who are close to the girl but it is not possible to arrest anyone until his/her involvement is established,” the SP said.

A police officer said the deceased and the accused are from Chatakpur village.

“The girl killed the youth with a rod on Tuesday night. She surrendered before the police on the same day admitting to the crime and citing the reason,” the policeman said, requesting anonymity.

“The youth’s father, Prabhu Gope, registered a murder case naming the girl’s father and six others besides the girl as accused.”