Kendrapada SP Nitinjeet Singh on Sunday directed the Mahakalpada police station IIC to conduct an inquiry into the child marriage that took place in the Bengali-dominated Suniti area in the district on Saturday.
A 13-year-old poverty-stricken Bengali girl, who is studying in Class VIII in the Tapobana Uchha Vidyapitha in Benakanda village allegedly tied knot with a 19-year-old boy of Balaramagadi at the local Ramchandi temple on Saturday. Panchami Mandal, the widowed mother of the girl, solemnized the marriage.
Then the bride went to her in-laws house at Balaramgadi.
Meanwhile, Mahakalpada PS IIC Biranchi Bag said he has already started an inquiry into the alleged child marriage.
When contacted, SDPO Manorama Swain said she would start a probe on Monday. Similarly, District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Bijay Ketan Sahu said the matter was yet to come to his notice. He said actions would be taken as per law if the alleged matter is proved true.
As per the Hindu Marriage Act, while a bridegroom must be of 21 years of age and a bride of 18 years of age to get married, the violation is majorly seen in Bengali-dominated Rajnagar and Mahakalpada areas.
The reason for giving marriage to their children at an early age is only a old practice. The administration should check it, said some locals.
The practice is going on at Ramnagar, Kharnashi, Jamboo, Batighar, Suniti gram pachayats\ under Mahakalapada block and Talachua and Rangani GPs of Rajnagar block, stated a senior police officer.