The third phase of the ongoing 100-Days Intensive Awareness Campaign for a Child-Marriage Free Bharat under the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)’s ASHA (Awareness, Support, Help and Action) SOP and the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign, continues to expand its outreach across East Jaintia Hills District with two Legal Literacy Programmes-cum-Street Plays organized today by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Jaintia Hills District at Jalyiah and Narwan Lumpyrdi, Villages under Wapung and Saipung Blocks respectively.
The programmes were attended by Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel, Shri W.D Sympli, Front Office Coordinator, DLSA, East Jaintia Hills District, Smti. Deinidaroy Papang, Counsellor, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Khliehriat, Smti.V. Langstang and other Legal Aid Defence Counsels (LADCs), Legal Aid Counsels (LACs), along with officials and staff members of the DLSA.
In her address during the Legal Literacy Programme, the Counsellor of the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Khliehriat, Smti. V. Langstang highlighted the serious psychological and emotional consequences of child marriage. She emphasized that child marriage severely affects children’s mental health, often leading to depression, anxiety, and prolonged emotional distress. She further stated that children subjected to early marriage frequently experience low self-esteem, diminished self-respect, and a significant decline in confidence.
Sharing her experience as a Counsellor, Smti. V. Langstang recounted a distressing case where a child approached the office expressing feelings of hopelessness about life underscoring the gravity of emotional trauma linked to child marriage. She added that victims commonly suffer from emotional isolation, feelings of loneliness, along with enduring regret and shame, and stressed the importance of timely support and early intervention. She urged parents, community leaders, and stakeholders to remain vigilant and address warning signs before situations escalate into crises.
An engaging Street Play (Nukkad Natak) formed the highlight of the awareness activities, effectively communicating the adverse physical, social, and educational consequences of child marriage. The skit depicted a situation in which a priest unknowingly solemnized the marriage of a 20-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl.
Following the girl’s pregnancy and subsequent hospital visit, the doctor, in compliance with legal obligations, reported the matter to the police, leading to prompt intervention and the arrest of those responsible.
The performance emphasized that child marriage often stems from inadequate awareness or misinterpretation of legal provisions, while also drawing attention to the stringent legal consequences for individuals involved in facilitating or participating in such unlawful acts.
The campaign is set to continue on 20th February, 2026 with back-to-back programmes scheduled at Mooknor and Khahnar Villages under Saipung C&RD Block
