The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) recently directed the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) take necessary action in cases of child marriage in the State.The commission passed the order to the OHRC while acting on a petition filed by Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain.
The petitioner in her petition filed at the apex human rights watchdog alleged that a the tribal girls belong to Mallar caste of the Kuladera village under Telkoi police station in Keonjhar district are being forced by their parents and neighbourers to marry before they reach 12 years which amounts human right violation.
“The girls in the village are away from education which also violates their human rights. Due to the inaction of the concerned public authorities such things are happening,” the petitioner pointed out, praying the commission to take necessary steps to stop the child marriage. Admitting the petition the NHRC has asked to OHRC to act over the issue.