MALDA: A calf, three saris and Rs 1,000 were enough to lure the parents of a minor to convince her for a marriage. The dole from the groom's house came as a quick buck for the mother, a resident of village Khochakandor under Habibpur police station, who fooled the cops by saying that her 11-year-old daughter had turned 18 and was ready for marriage. When asked about the legal implications, the woman said she was aware of those. "I know my daughter is minor and can't get married.
Her father is not bothered and we have to frequently visit other districts for works. My daughter was growing and she had to get married. And I found the proposal from neighbouring village Chunakandor hard to resist.
Had my girl been grown-up, we had to shell out huge dowry which is beyond our capacity," said the mother.
The groom was a labour and wanted to wed Sita. He offered, true to the custom of tribal society, dowry of money, a calf and three sarees. "Nothing like it", Maramoyi felt. "Had the girl been grown up, we could have given the dowry which is beyond our capacity."
It happened on April 19. When the cops visited their house on April 19, the mother fooled them and they returned.
The marriage was later performed. But, the members of an NGO in Bulbulchandi and Barind Development Society informed the social welfare department. Accordingly, Child Helpline informed the cops and the Mangalpura gram panchayat. Officials from Habibpur police station visited the minor's house on April 19, the day fixed for the wedding. "But the mother informed the cops that her daughter has turned 18. And the cops came back. The wedding was later performed," said sources.
On Saturday, when this correspondent visited the primary school, where the minor used to study, he got to know the truth. TNNa teacher showed her birth record, according to which she was born on November 10, 2000. The teacher said the girl has stopped coming to school after her marriage.
On the other hand, the mother looked. Are you aware of the dangers lying in marrying under 18? ---"Why not? Being a woman I know it better than. But who could look after my daughter once she grew up? Will anyone marry her without dowry?" she said.
Cops refused to speak on the issue saying that the officer, who had gone to the minor's place, was out of station. Panchayat member Uttam Mandal, who accompanied police, said: "Her mother claimed that the daughter was above 18 and we returned. Fearing reaction among the tribals, we decided not to act against the marriage.Link: Mom marries off minor for dowry
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