Child marriages increased after COVID-induced lockdown: Maharashtra women's panel chief

Latur: Maharashtra Women's Commission chief Rupali Chakankar has said the number of child marriages in the state increased after lockdown was imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Chakankar said 37 child marriages were stopped in Latur alone, and cases were registered in connection with two of these incidents.

She, however, did not give figures or a timeframe in connection with her statement on child marriages increasing in Maharashtra.

The gram sabhas must pass resolutions to strictly curb child marriages and action must be taken against all those involved, including units that print wedding invites for them, she said.

Chakankar claimed the advent of mobile phones and other forms of technology created a "communication gap" between parents and children, which may be resulting in girls falling in love and eloping.

The police's 'Damini squad' must interact more with girls to protect them, she added.

"Some 18,000 complaints from 28 districts have been resolved by the commission under the Mahila Aayog Aplya Dari initiative. On Monday, we received 93 complaints in Latur and three panels will work towards solving them speedily," she said.

MLC Vikram Kale, Collector Varsha Thakur-Ghuge, Superintendent of Police Somay Munde, ZP chief executive officer Anmol Sagar were present on the occasion.