Child marriage averted in Kushalnagar

Madikeri: The officials of the child and women welfare department on Tuesday succeeded in preventing a child marriage at a village in Kushalnagar taluk.The minor, after taking Class X exam, is waiting for the results.Officials said a staff member received a tip-off from a local who gave details of an engagement party arranged at the village by her family, which sought to marry her to a man from Periyapatna in neighbouring Mysuru district. However, officials from the child and women welfare department, including the child welfare committee (CWC) members, visited the house and enquired with the family. After it was confirmed that it was an engagement ceremony of the minor girl, the officials held discussions with the parents, and the latter were made to understand that it is a crime to marry off a minor girl.CWC officer Yogesh said the parents of the minor were summoned to the office in Madikeri and made to give a written statement that they will not marry off the girl till she turns a major.