Child marriage foiled in Ganjam district

An attempt to marry off a 16-year-old orphan girl by her guardian has been foiled by child rights activists and government officials in Ganjam district, the police said today.

A team comprising a child welfare officer, child development project officer (CDPO), social activists and police personnel intervened and convinced her guardians to call off the marriage as she had not attained the marriageable age of 18, M M Nayak, CDPO-cum child marriage prohibition officer, said.

The marriage was to be held on April 27, the police said.

On the basis of a tip-off, the team visited her guardian's residence at Hindol in Kabisurya Nagar block yesterday.

The girl, who is a student of class 12, lives with her uncle, an official said.

With this incident, at least five child marriages have been foiled in the district in the last five days, activists of 'Childline', have claimed.

'Childline' is an organisation working for the protection of the rights of children.

An attempt to marry off a 15-year-old girl to a man, about eight years older to her, was foiled by the district administration, police and child rights activists at Shyamalal in Hinjili area on Thursday.

Similarly, an attempt to marry off at least three teenage girls in Balisira under Aska block was foiled by administration and activists on Saturday.

All the parents agreed and gave undertakings to postpone the marriage of their daughters till they attain 18 years, 'Childline' centre coordinator, Ganjam, H K Ray, said.

Last year, 41 child marriages, were stopped in the district.

Most of the cases were from Aska (14) and Patrapur (11) blocks, said Sudhir Sabat, director, 'Childline', Ganjam district.