The District Administration Senapati, in collaboration with the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), organised an awareness campaign and sensitisation programme against child marriage today at the DC Conference Hall, Senapati, as part of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat initiative.

The event brought together District Level Officers (DLOs) and church leaders to discuss the critical issue of child marriage and strengthen collaborative efforts towards its prevention.

Addressing the gathering, Deputy Commissioner Mamoni Doley, IAS, highlighted the grave consequences of child marriage on children’s health and education. Applauding the district’s commendable record of zero child marriage cases so far, she called for continued vigilance and proactive support from both DLOs and church leaders in implementing the Child Marriage Act at the grassroots level.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Rang David Kung, MCS, stressed the influential role of churches in spreading awareness, noting that after schools, churches are the next key institutions in educating the masses. He urged church leaders to actively disseminate information about the legal and social implications of child marriage within their congregations.

Lily Rangnamei from the District Child Protection Unit sensitised participants on the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. She urged pastors to exercise caution during marriage ceremonies and reaffirmed the goal of making Senapati a child marriage-free district.

As part of the campaign, Deputy Commissioner Doley also released a set of posters promoting awareness about child marriage, which were distributed to all participants for further dissemination.

The programme witnessed active participation from Rang David Kung, MCS, ADM Senapati; Pf. Lophro, MCS, AC to DC Senapati; DLOs; DCPU staff; church pastors; and youth leaders.