Minor Kandhamal girl dials child helpline, stops owns marriage

Berhampur: A 17-year-old girl in tribal-dominated Kandhamal district stopped her marriage to a man much older than her by taking the help of Child Helpline. A meritorious Plus III student, she was rescued jointly by Child Helpline activists and police from a village in Sarangada police station limits on Sunday afternoon.“After her counselling and a medical test, she will be produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Further steps will be taken as per the decision of the CWC,” said Rasmita Karana, district child protection officer (CDPO).The girl, who secured first division in matric and Plus II exams, wants to continue with her studies instead of getting married, said Khirod Prasad Nayak, district coordinator of Child Helpline.Sources said the girl’s parents had planned to marry her against her wish to a person in the Daringbadi area. The girl fled from home and reached one of her relatives’ place in the Sarangada area. However, there too she felt insecure and dialled the Child Helpline number (1098), seeking help. Child Helpline staff then informed the IIC of Sarangada, who rescued the girl.“A team of police went to the spot immediately after getting a call from Child Helpline,” said Smita Jena, inspector in charge, Sarangada police station. The child is now at a shelter home in Phulbani.Nayak said they would counsel her parents and apprise them about the marriageable age of a girl and ask them not to marry her till she attains 18 years of age.