Agartala, April 30, 2025: The child marriage rate in Sepahijala district has reached an alarming level of 50 percent, sparking serious concerns among the administration and social welfare groups. The Additional District Magistrate of Sepahijala districy Rinku Lathore reported a distressing case to District Magistrate Dr. Siddharth Shiv Jaiswal involving a 13-year-old girl who has become pregnant. The revelation came after reviewing the ultrasound report of the minor, shedding light on the severity of the issue plaguing the district.
“This is a matter of grave concern. Despite extensive awareness campaigns, the prevalence of child marriages and pregnancies among young girls in Sepahijala district is showing no signs of abating,” Dr. Jaiswal remarked during an important meeting convened to address the crisis.
Terming child marriage a “social disease” and a generational problem, Dr. Jaiswal emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to tackle this age-old issue. “It is not enough to rely solely on propaganda and awareness campaigns. We need to work actively in the field to bring about meaningful change,” he urged, during the meeting held at the conference hall of Bishramganj District Magistrate’s office.
The meeting was attended by Sabhadipati of Sepahijala Zilla Parishad Supriya Das Datta, Saha-Sabhadipati Pintu Aich, senior police officials, members of the Tripura Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TCPCR) and Tripura Commission for Women (TCW) and representatives of various child welfare organizations echoed the District Magistrate’s concerns. Additional Superintendent of Police Rajib Sutradhar and IPS officer Venkat Ram also participated in the discussion, underlining the commitment of law enforcement to combat the issue.
Nine FIRs regarding child marriages have been lodged across various police stations in the district, yet the problem persists. The District Magistrate highlighted the destructive impact of early marriage on young girls, saying, “Child marriage ruins the future of these girls. It destroys their talents, skills, and abilities, preventing them from realizing their potential.”
Chamili Saha, a member of the TCPCR reiterated the urgent need for collective action. “Child marriage is indeed a social disease. People from all walks of life, along with the administration, must join hands to eradicate this issue,” she stated.
The district has long struggled with a reputation for high rates of child marriages, which the authorities are determined to change. Dr. Jaiswal stressed the importance of proactive measures, stating, “Sepahijala’s bad reputation must be cleared. Together, we can achieve this by increasing the pace and scale of our efforts.”
The workshop was jointly organized by the Sepahijala District Administration and the Sepahijala Child Line Protection Unit served as a call to action for all stakeholders to intensify their efforts in ending the cycle of child marriages and securing a brighter future for the district’s children.
