Village elders in the India’s Uttar Pradesh have prohibited women and girls from using mobile phones outside their homes, imposing a hefty fine on violators. The ruling is meant to prevent women from eloping or even interacting with men. The elders’ council or khap pranchayat of a predominantly Muslim village, Madora, have set the fine as large as 21,000 rupees (around $330) on those who break the ruling. Local police Chief Arun Kumar Singh has described the order, declared on Tuesday, as being “against the constitution.” “We do support their measures against illegal activities, but won’t allow them to curb the freedom of women,” Singh told AFP. The former village headman, Mohammed Goffar, who came up with the order, claims the mobile phones encourage women to elope. “Every week, there is a story about young boys running away with girls. In some cases, the elopement leads to violence. So…