Two Child Marriages Prevented In Kamptee

Nagpur: Timely intervention by the
district child protection unit
(DCPU) prevented two child marriages in Kamptee, involving girls aged just 15.The child protection team received credible information about the planned weddings on Tuesday.
Acting swiftly, officials conducted inquiries at the homes of the girls and confirmed that both were underage.
The marriages were to take place at a major wedding lawn in Kamptee.Upon verification of the girls' documents, it was confirmed that they were only 15 years old — far below the legal age of 18 for girls and 21 for boys, as per the
Prohibition of Child Marriage Act
, 2006. Despite resistance and confusion in the families of the brides and grooms, the team enforced the law and stopped the ceremonies from taking place.A sealed statement was prepared on-site, with signatures collected from all present.
The police were immediately informed and took custody of the minor girls, who were later admitted to a govt-run child shelter.Authorities emphasised that certain communities still follow the regressive tradition of marrying off girls at a young age, despite repeated warnings and public awareness campaigns.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the commissionerate of women and child development, Pune, under commissioner Nayana Gunde, had earlier issued strong directives to stop child marriages.In compliance with these directives, collector Vipin Itankar and chief executive officer Vinayak Mahamuni held a district-wide meeting and issued circulars to all relevant departments to remain alert during the festive season, when child marriages are more likely to occur.The crackdown was carried out under the guidance of district women and child development officer Ranjit Kure, with active participation from district child protection officer Mustaq Pathan, district child protection coordinator Prasannjeet Gayakwad, CDPO Anjali Nimbalkar, police inspector Prashant Jumde (Old Kamptee), protection officer Sadhana Hatwar, chief sevika Jyoti Nimje, child representative Meenakshi Dhadade, as well as representatives from the Gramin Samasya Mukti Trust, and police officials including PSI Milind Meshram and Roshni Akhare.Authorities have reiterated their commitment to take strict legal action against anyone attempting to conduct child marriages, urging communities to act responsibly and report such cases immediately. They have urged citizens to report information about child marriages on the 1098 toll-free number.

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