Awareness on "Child Marriage Free Gram Panchayat" held at Keirak
Source: The Sangai Express / DIO-IPR

Kakching, February 16 2026: An awareness programme on the theme "Child Marriage Free Gram Panchayat" was held today at Keirak Keithel Lampak Community Hall in Kakching District as part of the ongoing Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) awareness campaign.

The programme was organised by the Office of the District Programme Officer, ICDS Cell, Kakching, led by N Parango Singh, under the supervision of the District Administration Kakching.

The initiative aim to strengthen grassroots efforts to eliminate child marriage and safeguard children's rights.

Advocate Kshetrimayum Sarankumari Devi, Panel Lawyer of the Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA), attended the programme as resource person and spoke extensively on the issue of child marriage.

She informed that under the law, the minimum legal age of marriage is 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys and any marriage conducted below the prescribed age is a punishable offence under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA).

She also highlighted detailed legal provisions which are available for such cases.

She informed the gathering about CHILDLINE 1098, a toll-free 24-hour emergency helpline service for children in distress.

She stated that complaints can be made anonymously and immediate intervention can be sought through the helpline to prevent child marriage and protect children at risk.

The advocate also highlighted the importance of reporting cases of child marriage and child rights violations.

On the other hand, M Bimola Devi, Supervisor of the ICDS project, briefed the gathering on the various services provided under the Integrated Child Development Services.

Around 80 participants attended the awareness programme.

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