Agartala, 19th June 2026: A 14-year-old Class VIII student successfully stopped her own child marriage after alerting authorities through a child helpline, leading to her rescue and intervention by officials in Kailashahar.
According to reports, the incident took place in a village under Fatikroy police station area in Unakoti district. The girl, a minor student, was allegedly being forced into marriage by her father, a driver by profession. Her mother had reportedly left the family about a year ago, and the household consisted of the father and two younger siblings.
When the girl refused to accept the marriage arrangement, she was reportedly subjected to physical assault and pressure. Despite this, she managed to contact the Child Helpline using a neighbour’s mobile phone on the evening before the scheduled wedding.
Following the complaint, Childline workers and administrative officials acted swiftly and reached the location the next day. Initially, the father denied any marriage arrangement, but officials later confirmed the matter after speaking with the minor. They also recovered wedding-related items from the girl’s belongings, including a saree, garlands, sindoor, and traditional bridal accessories.
The minor was immediately rescued and shifted to the One Stop Centre in Kailashahar, where she is currently staying. Childline worker Souvik De stated that she would be kept there for 24 hours and later referred to a shelter home after counselling. Legal action is expected to be taken against the accused guardian under relevant child protection laws.
Officials noted that the girl’s timely awareness and courage played a crucial role in preventing the child marriage, and her actions send a broader message against underage marriage and for the protection of girls’ rights and education.
