Kohima: Zunheboto Deputy Commissioner Dharam Raj issued a firm directive to all wards and villages. The order requires local leaders to organize anti-child marriage campaigns immediately. The move supports the national Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat, or Child Marriage-Free India initiative.
The campaign ties into the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. This global event occurs on November 27. The district directive, dated November 3, mandates that Village Council Chairmen, Gaon Burahs, and Ward GBs lead the charge. They must host events and record a formal pledge.
Officials expect proof of participation. Every village must send a photograph of their pledge activity to 8414829153 or 9233358523 before the November 27 deadline. The administration provided specific Information, Education and Communication materials to help with local outreach.
The formal pledge demands that residents reject child marriage in all forms. It focuses on keeping children unmarried until they reach the legal age. "The pledge calls upon individuals and communities not to support, encourage or participate in child marriage and to ensure that no child is married before attaining the legal age of marriage," the circular stated.
The initiative forces leaders to confront the harmful effects of the practice. Communities must report incidents and respect the rights and dignity of every child. The goal remains clear: make every village and ward in the district child marriage-free.
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