Officials prevent minor girl’s marriage

Visakhapatnam: A 16 years old girl was rescued by the officials of Women Welfare department and Child Rights Protection Forum(CRPF) here on Tuesday. The District Collector K Bhaskar received a  complaint through 1098 helpline number and informed  about the arrangements made  for the child marriage.  The girl was born in December 2003 and pursuing 9th standard  in the city.

Her parents were making  arrangements for her marriage in Maridimamba temple at Relliveedhi near Chinna Waltair and the marriage was planned on Wednesday. CRPF State President G Seetharam said that as the Collector informed us about the child marriage we along with the officials of Women Welfare department went to III Town police station.

The  called up the parents of the bride and bridegroom to the police station and enquired about the  marriage.  We came to know that the girl’s age is 16 and the bridegroom’ age is 23.  Our teams carried out  counseling to  the parents of both the parties and convinced them to conduct the marriage after the girl completing the age of 18. The   parents and their children went home.