Staff reporter
DIPHU, Apr 12: A one-day training cum workshop of Lot Mandals under the initiative of the District Administration Karbi Anglong, was held at Farmer Growth Centre, Diphu. The workshop was based on the prevention of child marriage in the district.
In the absence of president/secretary of Gaon Panchayats in the three sixth scheduled districts (Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao) the charge of Child Marriage Prohibition Officer (CMPO) was given to the mandals. They were trained on how to ensure zero child marriage in the district.
In the workshops, the mandals were told that filing a case against those who commit child marriage should be the last resort. Before taking the help of the police, CMPO should examine the situation that led to the marriage. They should know from the concerned persons the reasons of not being able to evade the untimely communion.
The newly appointed CMPOs were instructed to give importance on creating awareness among people. They should talk to the village headmen, the villagers, and other stakeholders and identify the ways that can prevent early marriages.
Speaking on the occasion, Karbi Anglong deputy commissioner Madhumita Bhagawati informed that in the last three years a total of 127 cases of child marriage were registered in the district. Out of this, arrests had been made in 53 cases where the pregnancy was of below 18 years girls. She appealed all citizens of Karbi Anglong to help the govt.’s effort to put an end to early marriages.
Additional SP Crime Branch Nayanmoni Deka also shared minutes of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. 2006. SP Sanjeev Saikia, election officer Kaibayashree Dihingia, magistrate Nupur Bora, CWC Bulu Terang and several other officers were also present in the workshop.