Collector stops child marriage

Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, Jun 21 (UNI) District Collector I Srinivasa Srinaresh today stopped a child marriage at Abhangapatnam Village.

The Collector directed Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and Women and Child Welfare authorities to stop the marriage of Jyothi (13) who dropped out of school as her father had fixed the marriage.

Nizam Pochaiah, a resident of Abhangapatnam, decided to marry off his minor daughter to his nephew E Srinivas (20) of Jankampet.

Acting on information, the Collector directed the authorities to stop the marriage if it involved a minor girl.

The officials counselled Jyothi's parents and also informed them that marriage of girls below 18 and boys under 21 was punishable under law.

Later, Pochaiah told them he would allow his daughter to continue with her studies.

UNI JRK GM 2001