Girl, 15, leaves home on being forced to marry

Pressed for marriage, Tina Khatun, 15, a student of class 7, has walked out of the home of her grandparents in Murshidabad district of Bengal, where she was living after her parents died a few years ago.

District administration has handed over the girl to Child Line after she refused to return home.

An officer of the district administration said that she is the latest in a list of about 100 girls who have stopped their marriage with the help of the administration. However, it is not common for a minor to refuse to return to any of her relatives’ house.

The girl used to live with her grandparents in Harinathpur village in Murshidabad district. However, due to the poor financial condition it was impossible for the grandparents to bear her cost of education, and about a week ago, they sent the girl to the home of her uncle, Ataul Haque, in Harinathpur village.

Haque arranged the marriage of Khatun with his son, Asharul Sheikh (24), who works as a migrant labourer and recently returned to the village to celebrate Eid with his family.

“I don’t trust my uncle. He was forcing me to marry Asharul. If I return to the village, I may have to face physical torture,” said Tina Khatun.

“The girl has told us that she is unwilling to return to any of her relatives. She has been handed over to the Child Line team on Wednesday,” said Utpal Das, officer-in-charge of Bhagabangola police station.

“On Tuesday afternoon I got a phone call from a teacher of Balipara High School who told me that the student is crying continuously and is unwilling to return to her home,” said BDO (Bhagabangola-I) Lopshang Tshering.

Tshering immediately sent a team to the school and sought the help of local police.

“The girl was not at all interested in the marriage and she is eager to continue her studies,” said the BDO.

After getting the information of the arrangement of child marriage, Bhagabangola police swung into action and summoned Ataul to the police station.

“The girl told us that his uncle didn’t bother to consult her before arranging the marriage,” said Das.