Despite claims, child marriages occur in state

JAIPUR: Despite tall claims of the state government, child marriages in the state took place in large numbers on Friday. While in Bharatpur about six child marriages were prevented, an FIR was registered against the family members of a groom for thrashing some NGO activists in Jodhpur.
According to sources, in Bharatpur's Halena police station area the administration came to know that a 13-year-old boy was being married to a 19-year-old girl."The girl was eligible for marriage, while the boy was a minor. Restriction orders were issued against the family of both," said an official.
Similarly, child marriages were prevented in Noh Bhachamadi village under Chiksana police station area, Nagla Khangri village under Nadbai police station and Halak and Anipur villages under Kumher police station.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan High Court judge Dalip Singh on Friday said to root out child marriages from the society, people should come forward to play their role at any level. He said efforts should be made to make everyone aware about the legal aspects of child marriage. He was speaking at a workshop on child marriage prevention organised by Rajasthan State Legal Aid Authority and District Legal Authority in Jhunjhunu on Friday. He also said not just on Akha Teej but the efforts to prevent child marriage should continue throughout the year.