Gajapati district officials foil couple’s bid to marry off minor daughter

Berhampur: Gajapati district administration on Tuesday claimed to have foiled a bid to marry off a minor girl in Goshani block to a man aged over 30 from a nearby village. The wedding was scheduled for April 29.Acting on a tip-off, a team comprising officials of the district administration, police, block child marriage prevention officer, district child protection unit (DCPU), local sarpanch and anganwadi workers rushed to the girl’s house and stopped the marriage.The girl was rescued and produced before the district child welfare committee (CWC) on Tuesday. Following CWC directions, she was shifted to a one-stop centre for counselling. “Her parents gave a written undertaking not to marry her off till she attains 18 years of age and to ensure continuation of her studies,” said district child protection officer (DCPO) Arun Kumar Tripathy.He said legal action would be initiated against the parents if they violate the undertaking.Tripathy said the parents were initially firm on proceeding with the marriage as all arrangements were complete, but agreed to defer it after officials explained the legal consequences of child marriage. “Anganwadi workers will keep vigil and officials of DCPU and other stakeholders will visit the family regularly to counsel the parents and the girl, and to create awareness among adolescents in the village against child marriage. Efforts will also be made to ensure the girl continues her education,” Tripathy said.Despite being declared child marriage-free, the district continues awareness activities through various forums and follows govt guidelines issued for such areas, Tripathy added.Gajapati was declared the state’s second child marriage-free district after Ganjam in Feb last year. Ganjam was declared child marriage-free on Jan 3, 2022.