Three child marriages foiled in NK districts

Timely intervention of the police and Child Development Programme Officer foiled a child marriage in Irakallagada village of Koppal taluk.

It was decided to marry off 11-year-old Suma to a 15-year-old Kanakappa of Irakalagada village on Friday. A team comprising the CDPO, police, Unicef officials and Children’s Welfare Committee got wind of the marriage proposal a month ago.

They had advised the parents of both the bride and the groom to desist from performing the marriage. The parents had even given an undertaking in writing.

Sudden preparations

However, all of a sudden preparations for the marriage began on Friday. And this time, Anjali (12) was the bride. Even as the boy was about to tie the knot, the team swooped down at the venue and convinced the parents of the bride and the groom to stop the marriage. After a brief verbal due, the marriage was halted.

The boy and the girl were brought to the office of the superintendent of police. Superintendent of Police Eshwarchandra Vidyasagar advised them not to get married so early and suggested them to focus on studies.

The bride and the groom are now in the safe custody of the Bala Mandira. Unicef’s children’s training co-ordinator Harish Jogi, CDPO Muniraju, Children’s Welfare Committee President M Rajashekhar, member Shivaleela, police instructor Usman and Unicef assistant training co-ordinator Shivaram were in the team.

Pairs of child marriage

Two teams of officials succeeded in preventing  two child marriages in Belgaum taluk. Marriage of minors on Akshaya Tritiya day is a common feature in the district. Shivaji Shamarao Kolekar of Kunnur was to marry 16-year-old Pooja Mayappa Divate of Kurli and the marriage of Shankar Ramanayak was scheduled with 13-year-old Sheela Vasant Kamble.

CDPO S K Kulkarni said they had also received an information on a child marriage at Nipani. However, on verification it was found that the bride and the groom were majors. The team comprised police personnel and anganwadi workers.