Minor girl set to get married in Keonjhar, rescued by CWC

Keonjhar: Officials of the Childline and Child Welfare Committee Monday foiled a bid to marry off a minor girl in Tangara village of Keonjhar district.

According to sources, the minor girl of Chhatrakana village was allegedly being married off to a person from Tangara village at a temple, when the officials of Childline Anandapur unit and CWC reached the spot. They discussed with families of both the minor girl and the bridegroom and convinced them to stop the marriage.

A police complaint has been lodged by the officials in connection with the incident. Besides, the minor girl has been handed over to the Childline.

“After receiving information from an NGO, we came to rescue the minor girl,” said Sabitri Sethi, CDPO, Anandapur.

“On basis of information provided by sources, we reached Tangara village temple where the minor girl was set to get married. We held discussions with both the families and convinced them to stop the marriage. Once the girl attains the marriageable age, the families can marry her off,” said Bhagirathi Das, member of the Childline.

Yesterday, the CWC officials had prevented the marriage of a minor girl at Katapali village under Sadar block of Jharsuguda district.