DC stops child marriage

All religious formalities were going on well. Guests were waiting for a sumptuous lunch after the bridegroom says kabul (the word meaning acceptance of the marriage by the bridegroom). But 12 year-old schoolgirl Lucky Khatun, wrapped in a long saree, was sitting helpless and dejected, cursing her fate.

To the utter disbelief of all, the Deputy Commissioner came, stopped the marriage and saved Lucky.

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The incident took place at Elongipara village in Kumarkhali upazila in Kushtia on Monday.

Lucky, a student of class seven at Alauddin Ahmed High School, did not agree to the proposal when her poor fish trader father arranged her marriage with 25 year-old neighbour Yunus Ali. But she did not dare to protest.

The marriage was scheduled for Monday noon. On Sunday, Lucky went to school as usual and narrated the matter to her friends. Her friends decided to inform the matter to the Upazila Nirbahi officer (UNO). They phoned him seeking help.

Kumarkhali UNO Mahbubur Rahman hurriedly gathered information and found it true.

He informed Kushtia Deputy Commissioner Jamal A Naser Chowdhury.

On Monday, the DC along with the UNO and a police team appeared at the scene.

The DC ordered to stop the marriage and arrest the girls' guardians. Police arrested the girl's father Habibur Rahman Habu, brothers Imtiaz Ali and Yunus and cousin Liakat Ali. The bridegroom and his men fled away.

Latter, police released them all after they signed a bond that they would not arrange such child marriage any more.