Minor's marriage thwarted

Kolkata: A child marriage was stopped after officials from a city-based NGO rescued the girl from Sarat Ghosh Garden Road on Friday.

The incident came to light when the welfare organization officials acted on a tip-off and stopped the girl's parents from conducting the marriage.

The officials went to the 16-year-old girl's home who was about to get married with the consent of her parents.

The officials asked the girl's parents to show the age proof of her daughter. When her parents hesitated to disclose her age, the officials counselled the parents and convinced them to make arrangement of her daughter's marriage once she reaches the age of 18. However, the girl has been handed over to the parents. She will be produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) latest by August 20.

According to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) released recently, the prevalence of child marriage in India is the highest amongst Scheduled Tribe girls (15 per cent) followed by Scheduled Castes (13 per cent). This apart, West Bengal has the highest rate of child marriage amongst SC girls.