The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Monday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to explain if 73 percent females in Maharajganj district were marrying below the age of 18 years.
The commission also expressed its concern over the 28 percent female literacy rate reported by the media in the district.
According to a report, one can find a child bride in almost every second home in villages of the district and adjoining areas of the Indo-Nepal border.
Notices have been issued to the chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh and district magistrate of Maharajganj seeking reports over the issue within six weeks, said an official of NHRC.