Two child marriages scheduled for Monday, were stopped on Sunday, thanks to the timely intervention by officials, who acted on a tip-off from field-level staff.
The marriage of two girls, both aged 17, was to be solemnised at the residences of bridegrooms in Perambalur and Kunnam respectively.
While Sudha was pursuing Plus Two, Prema was a student of class XI.
“No invitation was printed and the parents had planned to solemnise the marriage at the residences of bridegrooms,” said K. Petchiammal, District Social Welfare Officer and the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer, who ordered the stoppage of marriages after visiting the brides’ houses.
The children were aged below 18 and the marriage is illegal as per the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
The children were rescued and the Child Welfare Committee has been conducting an inquiry, said Darez Ahmed, Collector.
Intensive campaign against child marriage has resulted in a growing awareness among the masses of the evil, said Ms. Petchiammal.
“We have been organising several review meetings with the executive officers of temples, proprietors of marriage halls, village administrative officers, village health nurses, and anganwadi workers,” she says.
She said that the State government was presently producing a documentary film on child marriage.
