Kushmandi: 7 child marriage cases foiled in 3 days

MAY 6, 7 AND 9

- PINAK PANI CHOWDHURY

BALURGHAT: In a troubling reflection of deep-rooted social issues, Kushmandi block of South Dinajpur district has emerged as a hotspot for child marriages. Within just three days — May 6, 7 and 9 — local administration successfully intervened and stopped seven such weddings across different areas of the block.

In many cases, frightened minor girls themselves approached school authorities or the police for help, while some even fled their homes to escape forced marriages. Such incidents have become all too familiar for the residents of Kushmandi. However, social workers warn that these visible cases may represent only a fraction of the actual problem.