Timely action helps prevent child marriage at Ullal

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 21, 2015 :A team of personnel from Child Development Project Office, Childline and police on Wednesday prevented marriage of a 17-year-old girl with a 27-year-old man at a community hall in Ullal.

According to Child Development Project Officer Shyamala, they were tipped off of the marriage between 17-year-old girl from Addur near Bajpe and the 27-year-old man from Naringana near Bantwal. Mr. Shyamala said that the personnel visited the houses of the girl and the boy on May 12 and took an undertaking from their parents that they will not perform the marriage till the girl attains the age of 18.

But on Wednesday they received information that the family members of the bridegroom and the girl were going ahead with the marriage at a hall at Cherumba Bhagawati Kshetra. Ms. Shyamala said that she and the personnel from Childline, District Child Protection office and police went to the place of marriage. The officials had to face angry family members who wanted to go ahead with marriage as many relatives had come to the ceremony.

Ms. Shyamala said that they made clear to the members of family of the girl and the man the legal position. They were also told about the possible criminal action if they went ahead with the marriage. The parents of the bridegroom and the girl then decided to call off the marriage.

Ms. Shyamala said that the girl had completed her II Pre University course. They had obtained a copy of the birth certificate of the girl, she added.

 

Courtesy : The Hindu