Child Marriage Crisis in Tripura: Girl Fights Back Against Forced Marriage

A 14-year-old girl was reportedly expelled from her home in Tripura for refusing to marry a 32-year-old man. The TCPCR is investigating, while the local Child Welfare Committee plans to relocate her. Sepahijala district has seen over 100 child marriage cases recently, highlighting a growing concern.

In Tripura's Sepahijala district, a 14-year-old girl was allegedly ousted by her parents for refusing to marry a 32-year-old man, according to a child rights activist. The girl, who suffered trauma and abuse, was hospitalized at Bishalgarh following a bout of illness.

Sepahijala, bordering Bangladesh, is emerging as a hotspot for child marriages, with 103 cases recorded in a mere three months, as per official data. Chairperson of the Tripura Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Jayanti Debbarma, confirmed the authenticity of the reports after a visit to the local school.

Debbarma expressed alarm at the girl's predicament, revealing she and her 10-year-old sister had sought refuge with their grandmother. Legal measures will be pursued if parental misconduct is confirmed. The TCPCR plans to transfer the siblings to a government shelter, while the local Child Welfare Committee intends to enroll the girl in a boarding school post-discharge.