By TC News Desk
Agartala, 28th August 2025: An awareness programme on child marriage was held today at Kanchanbari Multipurpose Hall under Fatikroy Assembly constituency, organized through self-initiative with support from the District Education Officer (DEO) of Unakoti. The event was attended by SC Welfare and Animal Resource Development Minister Sudhangshu Das, District Education Officer Prasanta Kilikdar, students from various schools, and guardians.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Das described child marriage as a “dreadful curse” that has plagued society for generations. He noted that, unlike in the past, many underage marriages today are initiated by teenagers themselves due to immaturity. “They fall in love and elope to cities like New Delhi, Bengaluru, or Guwahati, or even to relatives’ homes. Parents, after desperate searches, are forced to lodge missing diary complaints at police stations. This is happening regularly,” the minister warned.
Urging strong community vigilance, he appealed: “To eradicate such a social evil, I urge all present to awaken as conscious citizens of society alongside necessary administrative intervention.”
In his remarks, DEO Prasanta Kilikdar stressed that child marriage has now become a dreadful problem, second only to drug abuse. He emphasized that the practice is particularly prevalent among girl children, some of whom are still pursuing their studies.
Highlighting a significant initiative, Kilikdar said the district has launched a school-based awareness platform called “Balika Mancha.” Under this initiative, every school– Senior Basic, High School, and Higher Secondary forms a team of 7-8 girl students (one or two from each class) under the guidance of women teachers. These teams are tasked with raising awareness about child marriage and its harmful consequences among fellow students.
He further stressed that if any girl faces marriage pressure or receives a proposal, she should confide in her classmates, who must immediately inform the designated lady teacher. The matter will then be escalated to the education authorities to prevent such practices in time.
