Women's commission serious over child marriage, summon parents

Patna, May 18 (UNI) Bihar State Women's Commission today criticised the alleged child marriages, which were solemnised under the auspices of Hindu Seva Samiti at Dehiri-On-Sone in Rohtas district, reportedly, sponspored by an independent MLA, Pradeep Joshi.

Commission President Ms Manju Prakash said the Police Superintendent and the District Magistrate had been directed to produce guardians of all children before it within a week, whose marriages were solemnised at the function last month.

She said direction was issued earlier to produce the guardians before the commission today itself, but the Police superintendent sought extension of time as some were from other districts.

''All the guardians are being contacted and it will take at least a week's time to present them before the commission,'' he said.

Ms Prakash said if it was found that child marriage had been solemnised during medical checkup, then the concerned MLA would be directed to appear before the Commission.

She expressed surprise over the fact that though welfare officers were posted in all districts, they were indifferent to such issues.

She alleged that officers notified for keeping vigil on such social menace were not discharging their responsibilities properly.

According to reports, mass marriage was solemnised in Dehri-on -sone under the patronage of the local MLA. He had gifted costumes and jwellery to the newly wed couples. When asked about the alleged child marriages, he said it was difficult to assess the age of each and every couple and was not a deliberate attempt.

UNI XC-RS KK KD RK2020