Bellary: Due to the meager government assistance, many people in drought-affected villages of Bellary district are compelled to marry off their underage daughters to facilitate migration to urban areas in search of work.
To address this issue, the Bellary district administration has established task forces in all taluks. The district’s records indicate that such cases increase during periods of drought in the state.
An official from the district administration revealed that these task forces aim to prevent child marriages and are maintaining strict vigilance. Many parents, before relocating to towns and cities in pursuit of employment, attempt to marry off their minor daughters. By discouraging this practice, authorities aim to raise awareness and have encouraged people to report such incidents by calling 1098.
Since May, 61 cases of child marriages have been thwarted in the district, resulting in four FIRs being filed against parents. Child marriages are not attributed to drought and are illegal. Strict action will be taken against those who violate the law, the official emphasized.
