Lucknow: With timely intervention, police and social welfare officials prevented marriage of a minor girl in Lucknow’s Banthra area and extended long-term support to ensure her education and rehabilitation, officials said on Sunday.According to police, information was received at Banthra police station on Sunday, regarding proposed marriage of a 14-year-old girl in Mawai Padiyana village, scheduled for Sunday. Acting swiftly, a joint team of local police and officials from the One Stop Centre reached the village and halted the ceremony before it could be solemnised.During the inquiry, officials found the girl was around 14 years old. She revealed that her marriage had been fixed with a 22-year-old man from Unnao district and was scheduled for Apr 26.The minor informed authorities that her father died in a road accident three years ago, leaving her mother to manage the household alone. Citing financial hardship and social pressure, she said she had agreed to the marriage.Police officials, along with trained counsellors, engaged with the girl and her family, explaining legal implications and long-term consequences of child marriage. Following counselling, the girl agreed to defer her marriage until she turns 18, and her family consented too.Assistant commissioner of police (Krishnanagar), Rajneesh Kumar, told TOI that police would continue counselling the family and ensure sustained support for the girl. “Our priority is her future. We will ensure she receives proper education and is able to stand on her own feet. Only after she becomes self-reliant should she decide about marriage, as per her own wish,” he said.He added that efforts would be made to facilitate financial assistance for the girl’s education. “We are committed to supporting her studies so that she can build a secure livelihood and lead an independent life,” the ACP said.
