Child marriage bid foiled in Malkangiri

Malkangiri: A bid to marry off a minor girl at Balimela in Malkangiri district was foiled after the intervention of Childline officials today. The officials later handed over the girl to the district Child Welfare Committee (CWC).

According to sources, the family of a Class 8 girl of MV-40 village had fixed her marriage with a youth of MV-32 village in Korukonda. The engagement of the two was being conducted today, when the Childline officials reached the spot and stopped the ceremony. Later, the officials rescued the minor girl and handed her custody over to the district CWC.

Sources said the CWC would take the responsibility of her education till she attains 18 years while Rs 2,000 will be provided to her every month by the State government.

"We got a call at around 6.30pm and were informed about the matter. A team went to the spot and stopped the engagement. We also discussed with the girl and her parents. Though the minor didn't want to get married and wanted to continue her studies, her parents expressed their inability to bear her study expenses," said a Childline staff.