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Child marriage thwarted in Odisha

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Press Trust of India Berhampur (Odisha)
Police along with officials of the District Child Protection Unit and Childline foiled an attempt to marry off a minor girl at BK Saranapur village in Odisha's Ganjam district.

Parents of both the bride and the groom gave a written undertaking to wait till the girl attained 18 years of age after the matter came to light on Saturday, police said.

"We didn't register a case since the parents agreed to postpone the marriage and gave an undertaking in this regard," a local police official said.

The 16-year-old girl recently took the matriculation examination. Her parents had fixed her marriage with a 30-year-old businessman.
 

"On getting information, our officials reached the village and stopped the marriage with the help of police," said director of Childline Sudhir Sabat.

Childline campaigner Subhasmita Parida said they had a tough time convincing the parents to put off the marriage. "The parents had to be told that what they were doing was illegal," she said.

District child protection officer Subodh Sarangi said they would follow up the particular incident. "The parents also submitted an affidavit in court stating that they would not marry the girl off till she reaches the age of 18," he added.

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First Published: Mar 14 2016 | 12:02 PM IST

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