The girl is over 18, but the groom is a minor. But love doesn't recognize age. The 16-year-old boy fell in love with the young woman. Both decided they would marry and start a family. But what if the family doesn't agree? They had no choice but to marry in secret. The two also started living together. But trouble arose in their happy household. Somehow news of the marriage reached the Child Protection Department. Child Protection Department workers arrived at the minor's house. But the family members refused to bring the boy and daughter-in-law before them. Finally, when threatened with the arrest of the head of the household, the minor groom made his appearance. The young woman also emerged dressed as a newlywed.
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The young woman was made to sign an undertaking and handed over to her parents. This incident occurred in the Khutiya area of Palsha gram panchayat in Kharagpur-2 block of West Medinipur district. When child marriage is mentioned, in most cases it is seen that minor girls were being married off. In many cases, the administration has intervened at wedding ceremonies to stop marriages. But this time it's the opposite. The administration stopped a minor boy's marriage. According to administrative sources, a teenager from that area is only 16 years and 7 months old. He became acquainted with a young woman from the Narayanganj police station area. Acquaintance led to love. Four days ago, they married at a local temple. To keep the marriage secret, both started staying at relatives' houses.
It is learned that the couple had taken shelter at the boy's maternal uncle's house. However, news of the marriage reached the Child Protection Department through secret sources. Department workers, along with local panchayat members, ASHA workers, CDPO and other administrative officials, reached the boy's village. First, the boy's parents were interrogated. Though they initially denied it, under pressure the young woman was rescued within a short time.
She still had vermillion in her hair parting. Initially, the parents tried to hide their son. But the administration clearly stated that if the boy was not produced, strict action would be taken against the parents. They could even be arrested. After this, with the assurance of local panchayat member Pranati De Nandi, the boy was produced at Kharagpur Local police station the next day. The young woman was rescued. She was handed over to her parents after signing an undertaking.
In this incident, cases have been filed under specific sections against the guardians of both the boy and girl. A district police official said cases have been filed under child marriage laws. Investigation of the incident is ongoing. Pranati said, "The incident is truly surprising. We helped the administration as soon as we received the news.
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Awareness campaigns are regularly conducted to stop child marriage. Yet such incidents occur due to lack of awareness. The family is very poor. The boy works as a daily laborer. The girl has been rescued and handed over to her family. The boy has been produced before the police."
It may be noted that child marriage and minor pregnancy cases have long been a cause of concern for the administration in West Medinipur district. Though the administration claims that such incidents have reduced significantly compared to earlier due to continuous awareness campaigns. A district administration official said, "Child marriage doesn't mean only marrying off minor girls. Minor boys are also victims of this crime. After this incident, we need to be more vigilant."
