GIRL SAVED FROM CHILD MARRIAGE

A 16-year-old girl who was forced into a child marriage was rescued in Saroornagar on Tuesday. In a joint operation child rights activists, police and officials from the department of child welfare foiled the marriage scheduled for May, and shifted the girl to a care home.

The girl thanked the officials who rescued her and said that her aim was to study medicine and become a doctor.

The girl, a resident of Venkateshwara colony in Saroornagar, is the eldest daughter of her parents. She lost her father in early childhood and does not even remember him.

Since then, her mother was taking care of her and her younger brother by working as a maid in houses in nearby areas.

Both of them were studying at the ZP High School in Saroornagar. The girl recently completed SSC and is awaiting results.

Meanwhile, unable to bear the expenses of her education her mother got worried and fell into the trap of her relatives who decided that her problems can be solved if she gets her daughter married. After she agreed, they arranged the girl's marriage with her paternal cousin, a 22year-old bike mechanic, and the marriage was scheduled on May 4 at the groom's house.

Receiving a tip off, child rights activists raided the girl's residence with the help of Rachakonda SHE teams and officials of the district child protection unit.

“I know once married all my dreams will be shattered and I can never become a doctor. Thanks to all those who helped to rescue me,” the girl told DC after she was rescued.

Police counselled the elders of both sides.

“We counselled them and explained the ill effects of child marriage,” Saroornagar inspector S. Lingaiah said.