Prisoner to tie nuptial knot with unwed mother

Baripada, Apr 13 (UNI) For the first time in the history of 122-year- old Baripada circle jail, an undertrial will tie nuptial knot with an unwed mother inside the jail here on Monday next.

Santhal youth Khaira Hansda alias Saharai will be tying the nuptial knot with Padmini Murmu(16) in the jail campus.

Padmini gave birth to a male child at the district headquarters government hospital in November 2006. The baby was fathered by Khaira Hansda when she fell in love with him while studying in VII satndard.

When Khaira refused to admit the fatherhood of the baby, a rape case was registered at the Kuliana police station and subsequently Khaira was sent to jail and lodged as an inmate in the Baripada Circle Jail.

Later on after a lot of persuasion by a local NGO, Khaira finally admitted the fatherhood of the baby and agreed to tie the nuptial knot with Padmini.

The marriage, popularly called ''Bapla'' in Santhali, would be performed with all the traditional customs and rituals followed by the Santhal tribals, according to ''Short-Stay Home for Women and Girls'' Secretary Bijay Kumar Behera, ''Bapla'' is an arranged marriage of the Santhals fixed by negotiations.

A 15-member bridegroom's party(Barayatri), headed by the groom's brother Kara Hansda, of Sunthipal village under Kuliana police station, and an equal number of bride's party, headed Karunakara Murmu (bride'sfather), would be participating in the marriage rituals.

The Majhi Haalam (Headman) of both the villages would also be attending the ceremony and solemnise the marriage rituals according to Santhal's own customs, Mr Behera said.

Baripada Circle Jail Superintendent Shibadas Chand said nearly 686 inmates of the jail- both under trial prisoners and convicts would attend the bridal feast.

A new sewing machine for Padmini and a gift of Rs 5,000 in cash to Khaira would be provided for setting up a grocery shop in the village.

UNI