District authorities in Kushtia have stopped a child marriage in Kumarkhali after receiving a tip-off, intervening just as the wedding was about to be formalised.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Farzana Akhter confirmed the matter. According to her, the bride was 10th-grade Madrasa student while the groom, an SSC candidate, waited in an adjacent room with wedding guests for the marriage registrar.
Acting on a tip-off, UNO authorities, led by Farzana Akhter with police assistance, stopped the marriage.
A verbal undertaking was taken from the guardians, saying they would not marry the pair until they reached legal age.
The girl’s father said, “A romantic relationship developed between the boy and girl as they studied at the same institution. At one stage, they threatened suicide, which led to the wedding preparations. However, the marriage was stopped. They will not be married off until they reach legal age.”
UNO Farzana added that the administration has “zero tolerance” policy regarding child marriage.
