Andhra Pradesh - Nizamabad   

Child marriage averted

Staff Reporter

Collector swings into action following a tip-off

NIZAMABAD: A child marriage at Abhangapatnam village in Navipet mandal has been stopped with the intervention of authorities of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and Women and Child Welfare.

Nizam Pochaiah, a resident of Abhangapatnam decided to marry off his minor daughter, Jyothi,13, to his nephew, E. Srinivas (20) of Jankampet on June 21. Jyothi had completed her 7th Class and dropped out from school this year with her marriage being fixed.

Acting on information, district Collector I. Srinivasa Srinaresh alerted the authorities. Soon Sarva Siksha Abhiyan CMO P. Sudhakar Rao, ICDS Assistant Project Officer, Meera Benerji and Superintendent Vinoda arrived at the village last night and conducted counselling to Jyothi's parents.

They also cautioned that as per law girls under 18 years of age and boys under 21 years are not eligible for marriage. They also took a written undertaking from Jyothi's father to allow her to continue education. The girl was put in 8th Class at a local school, CMO Sudhakar Rao said.

Village Secretary Lakshman and the Revenue Inspector were asked to keep a vigil on Nizam Pochaiah's family to prevent them from reattempting for Jyothi's marriage.

The authorities also alerted the villagers through tom tom.

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Child marriage averted

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