30 child marriages prevented in Rajasthan

Jaipur, April 16 (IANS) Thirty child marriages were prevented by the police and the administration in Rajasthan's Banswara district Sunday and Monday, officers said.

Police said the child marriages were to take place in various parts of the district, some 500 km from Jaipur. Police got information from various sources regarding these unlawful weddings following which action was initiated.

"We were on high alert in the wake of Akshaya Tritiya (Akha Teej) that is to be observed April 24. The day is considered highly auspicious for marriages," a senior police officer told IANS.

Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day after 'amavasi' (new moon) in the Hindu month of Vaishakha.

He added that the police and administration have set up a control room where people can inform about child marriages. "Acting on these tip-offs, teams were dispatched to the various places in the district over the past two days. At least 30 child marriages have been prevented," said the officer.

The parents of these children were rounded up and presented in a court. "They were released on bail after submission of an affidavit that they would not get their children married," said the officer.

In a written direction to the district collectors and superintendents of police in each district, the state home department has asked them to keep strict vigil on child marriages on Akha Teej, which is a rampant practice in the rural areas of Rajasthan.