Forced Marriage of 19-year-old Stopped

VILLUPURAM: The marriage of a 19-year-old girl that was forcefully arranged with her 40-year-old uncle was stopped with the help of the Villupuram police officials.

Sources said K Ezhilarasi (19), daughter of Karvannan, who lived with her parents at Keezh Athivakkam near Madhuranthagam in Kancheepuram district, had just completed her class XII and wanted to pursue BSc agriculture.

Meanwhile, her parents, who didn’t want her to continue her studies, forcefully arranged her marriage with her paternal uncle Ayyanar (40) and conducted the engagement function a month back. The marriage was fixed to be held on June 9.

Ezhilarasi left her house last Monday and was spotted wandering in Tindivanam.

Ganesan (38), an autorickshaw driver, who saw the girl made enquiries with her. On hearing her story, he took her to his sister’s house.

Meanwhile, Ezhilarasi’s parents and relatives  started searching for her in her friends’ and relatives’ place.

On Tuesday evening, Ganesan, along with an advocate, Luciya, brought Ezhilarasi to the office of the Villupuram SP.

The officials enquired with the girl and later informed her parents about the girl’s whereabouts. The girl, however, threatened to commit suicide if she was sent back home. Officials lodged her at Arockiya Foundation, a women’s home in Villupuram. The  Villupuram special branch police inspector is investigating the case.

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