CHALAKUDY: A child marriage at an adivasi colony in Athirapally was reported recently. A 16-year-old boy married a 14-year-old girl and the marriage was held as per the rituals of the colony. The details of the marriage were revealed in an enquiry conducted following the absence of the girl in a school in Chalakudy. The news was reported by a leading media.

The girl’s mother died a few months back and soon after this the marriage took place. The girl promoted to ninth standard in this academic year was not seen in the class. The authorities of the hostel where the girl was staying did not know about the marriage. Usually children from tribal colony return to the hostel very late.