A schoolgirl's hopes to pursue her education, thwarted by her betrothal and subsequent confinement, were restored by the joint intervention of Childline and Child Welfare Committee on Friday. This is the third child marriage attempt that has been brought to light in the last two weeks.
Following an alert sounded through Childline's helpline 1098, Child Welfare Committee members with the assistance of police foiled an alleged marriage attempt of a 16-year-old girl, studying in a city school. The girl hailing from a hamlet near Kallanai was reportedly compelled to drop out of school after her betrothal to her maternal uncle, a 30 year old lorry driver. She was then detained in the groom- to-be's house at Kattuputtur near Thottiyam for 20 days.
When police and child welfare committee members reached the spot, the girl was not to be found. According Jayanthee Rani,member, Child Welfare Committee, parents of the minor girl produced their daughter before the authorities, only after they were confronted with the consequences of going ahead with the wedding. Meanwhile, the groom had absconded.
The minor girl had alleged that she had been subjected to physical torture on her refusal to comply with demands of parents. She was betrothed against her will to the uncle, on the premise that only her horoscope had matched her uncle who had been unsuccessful in finding a bride owing to anomalies cited in his horoscope.
While arrangements for the wedding, slated in mid August after aadi, were being made, the girl continued to express dissent. She tried to establish contact with her paternal relatives who alerted Childline.
No case has been booked as the girl expressed relief that she was rescued and requested that she be allowed to continue her studies. The child is currently under the custody of Child Welfare committee. The district collector, Jayashree Muralidharan has ensured reinstatement of the girl into school. K.Petchiammal, District Social Welfare Officer, Perambalur (Tiruchi-in-charge) would make arrangements secure accommodation for the student.
