Admin foils child marriage of two sisters in Auraiya

Lucknow: Prompt intervention by the govt machinery helped avert child marriage of two sisters in Auraiya district.

The action was taken jointly by the district administration, police, Child Helpline 1098 and Child Welfare Committee after information was received about the proposed marriages in a village in Auraiya.

Protection officer Reena Chauhan received the alert through 1098 helpline, following which officials rushed to the spot and began inquiry. During investigation, authorities found that while one girl’s documents showed her age as 18 years, the boy she was to marry was only 17 years and 4 months old. The second girl was found to be just 14 years and 11 days old.

Officials said both marriages violated the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. The rescue team counselled the family.

Director, women welfare directorate, C Indumati, said, “Under the guidance of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, awareness is continuously being spread regarding the safety and rights of women and girls under the Mission Shakti campaign.”

She added awareness campaigns were being conducted from time to time against social evils like child marriage. “On receiving any information, the administration, police and child protection units are taking immediate action. Our objective is not only to stop child marriage, but also to ensure the protection of daughters’ education, safety and rights,” she said.