Minor’s marriage with ‘addict’ foiled

Our Correspondent

Abohar, December 19

Acting on a tip-off, the administration reportedly foiled an attempt to marry 17-year-old girl, a school dropout, with 36-year-old drug addict. The victim was living along with two sisters, aged 8 and 13 years, in a small room owned by their uncle after their mother and father died sometime ago due to illness.

Someone informed the child security officer (CSO) about the preparations going on for the marriage ceremony last evening. The CSO immediately sought help from Sub-Divisional Magistrate Poonam Singh. She along with officials of the departments concerned reached Dhani Kadaka Singh in the periphery of the town and stalled the preparations.

When told that some relatives had fixed the girl’s marriage for some consideration, the SDM warned them as well as the groom’s family against such attempt.

At a meeting today, Poonam Singh said the three minor girls had been adopted under the “Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik” (UDAN), a flagship regional flying scheme, to continue studies. Pension will be sanctioned to meet their basic needs. They will be provided with kit carrying essential commodities each month. Anganwadi Centre incharge has been told to keep vigil on the family.