The District Administration of Kangpokpi, in collaboration with the Integrated Rural Management Association (IRMA), on Thursday organised a district-level stakeholders’ programme under the ‘Bal Vivaah Mukt Bharat’ campaign at JK Conference Hall, Sapormeina, marking one year since the nationwide initiative was launched by the Prime Minister on November 27, 2024.

Delivering the keynote address, IRMA Chief Functionary T. Lamjaneng Haokip highlighted the organisation’s journey since its establishment in Kangpokpi in 2001. She said IRMA has been consistently working on women’s empowerment, livelihood enhancement, child rights, and the prevention of child labour and trafficking. Haokip added that the programme combined the campaign with the celebration of IRMA’s first anniversary in the district. She also noted that IRMA has already rolled out a 100-day awareness campaign across Kangpokpi beginning this month.

A detailed presentation on the vision, mission, and action plan of the ‘Bal Vivaah Mukt Bharat’ campaign was delivered by Thangminlen, who outlined ongoing and future initiatives to eliminate child marriage.

ADM Kangpokpi and Chairman of the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer (CMPO), N. Shokhongam Baite, MCS, commended IRMA’s efforts and stressed the need for the campaign to reach every village through coordinated action across departments. He appreciated IRMA’s outreach to over 40 church pastors and temple priests to raise awareness on the legal and social consequences of child marriage.

Baite also informed that the district administration and the Social Welfare Department are expediting the construction of Juvenile Homes for both boys and girls. He urged IRMA to gather data on the root causes of child marriage in remote areas and proposed a follow-up review meeting involving key departments such as Police, Social Welfare, Education, and ICDS to strengthen the district’s resolve to eradicate the practice.

A collective pledge to make Kangpokpi a Child-Marriage-Free District was administered in the presence of the ADM.

The event was attended by Paotinsei Kipgen, MCS, SDO Saitu-Gamphazol, district-level officers, DCPO staff, ICDS officials, and representatives of civil society organisations.