- Mission Zero
Kamal Kumar Biswas.TOD.Kumarganj
For a second consecutive day, a brightly marked awareness chariot moved through towns, border outposts and village offices in South Dinajpur district, carrying a stark message: child marriage is not a tradition to be preserved, but a harm to be prevented.
The campaign, known as the Child Marriage–Free Rath, is a coordinated initiative of the South Dinajpur district administration, the District Legal Services Authority and the district police, with active support from the voluntary organization Shakti Bahini. Its aim is simple but urgent — to curb child marriage through law enforcement, public education and community engagement.
On Wednesday, the mobile campaign began its journey at the Hili Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) and the Hili BSF border outpost, where officials emphasized the close link between child marriage and human trafficking. Speakers underlined how early marriages often push children — especially girls — into cycles of exploitation, forced labor and abuse.
From there, the chariot reached the Hili Block Office, where Block Development Officer Chiranjeet Sarkar addressed local officials and residents, stressing that child marriage undermines education, economic stability and long-term development. The campaign then moved to Patiram Police Station, where Lady Sub-Inspector Afroza Islam outlined the legal consequences of child marriage and the responsibility of law enforcement to act swiftly on complaints and early warnings.
At Kumarganj Police Station, Circle Inspector Amaresh Singh echoed these concerns, pointing out that child marriage is not only a social issue but a criminal offense with lasting consequences. Later, at the Kumarganj Block Office, BDO Sribas Biswas spoke on the health risks associated with early marriage, including early pregnancy, maternal mortality and lifelong nutritional deficiencies.
The campaign also extended into villages under the Samjhia Gram Panchayat, where outreach teams engaged directly with families, community leaders and adolescents. Through leaflets, announcements and open discussions, residents were informed about the legal age of marriage, the penalties for violations and the social and medical harms caused by marrying children too young.
Health experts and officials repeatedly highlighted that child marriage often leads to school dropouts, increased domestic violence, poor maternal and child health outcomes and the intergenerational perpetuation of poverty. Girls married early are far more likely to face complications during childbirth, while boys are pushed prematurely into economic responsibilities that limit their own education and prospects.
According to district officials, the Child Marriage–Free Rath will continue its journey across other parts of South Dinajpur in the coming days. By combining administrative action, policing, legal awareness and grassroots participation, authorities hope to confront a practice that persists quietly — and to replace it with a culture of protection, education and choice for children.
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