Baliguda: The child welfare committee (CWC) Thursday rescued a newly-wed minor girl who was married off forcibly to a middle-aged man without her consent.
Despite reluctance by the girl, who secured 78 per cent in matriculation exams, her parents forcibly married her off, the girl alleged. A case was registered in this connection and a probe was launched.
According to sources, the girl of Babingia village under Phiringia police limits in Kandhamal district was married off to Barabhadra Nayak (35), son of Surendra Nayak, of Mujagad Birikot by her parents April 25.
When the girl expressed her frustration over the forcible marriage, her in-laws called a sorcerer and assaulted her. They inflicted mental and physical torture on her. Failing to bear the torture anymore, the girl fled her in-laws’ home and returned to her parental home.
Instead of hearing the plight of their daughter, her parents allegedly forced her to return back to her in-laws’ place. Left with no option, the victim approached Phiringia police for help.
Shockingly, the police also pacified her on some pretext and sent her back home without lodging a complaint.
Later, the girl took up the matter with the CWC through a helpline number. Soon, a CWC team rushed to the village and rescued the girl.
She was then rehabilitated at a short-stay home. During a counseling session, it was known that the girl had scored 78 per cent in her Class X exams and had recently appeared for Plus II examinations.
“We have heard everything from the girl. She is a bright student. Keeping her future in view, we are trying to rehabilitate her and give her access to education,” district child protection officer Rashmita Karan said.
