MYSURU: Periyapatna taluk, which has the distinction of preventing the most number of child marriages in Mysuru district, on Wednesday protected a 16-year-old girl from being married off at an early age.
The class 10girl from Hassan district was rescued after she shared the ordeal with one of her friends during a recent visit to Mysuru. The Scheduled Tribe girl from is under the government’s care in Mysuru now.
Child development project officer of Periyapatna, N Kumar, said they counselled the girl after she approached them through an organisation. According to the girl, she lost her father some years ago and her mother was allegedly forcing her to get married at the earliest. Her parents were doing odd jobs for a living. The girl had come to spend time at a friend’s house in a village in Periyapatna of the district. Her friend, in turn, got in touch with an organisation.
Kumar said the girl has been handed over to the Child Welfare Committee, a quasi-judicial body, which will decide on the next course of action. Her mother and relatives would be summoned before the committee to warn them if there are any such attempts by them.
The officer said that the government will take care of her and help her in studies if she wishes to continue education.
