{
  "id": 15119609,
  "title": "Chittoor Collector calls for collective efforts to eradicate child marriages",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/chittoor-collector-calls-for-collective-efforts-to-eradicate-child",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T04:30:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/chittoor-collector-calls-for-collective-efforts-to-eradicate-child-marriages/article71563866.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chittoor District Collector Sumit Kumar urged for unified actions to end the practice of child marriages during a Friday review meeting, emphasizing the need for awareness campaigns to start in schools. The District Collector chaired the meeting at the ZP Meeting Hall, urging students from Class 6 to become aware of the negative consequences of child marriage, its legal implications, and available support systems.\n\nSumit Kumar proposed that Self Help Groups should incorporate prevention efforts into their agendas to effectively reach every household. Hostel staff members should remain vigilant while issuing Transfer Certificates to deter girls from leaving school for marriage, and promptly alert the police and enforcement officials if any suspicious instances are observed. The police play a crucial role and must act swiftly against violators without succumbing to political pressure, according to Kumar.\n\nTehsildars and Mandal Parishad Development Officers were advised to participate regularly in village meetings and mandal reviews. Swift action should be taken on complaints received via the 1098 helpline, including during night hours, he added.\n\nSuperintendent of Police Tushar Dudi clarified that those involved in child marriages or promoting such practices would face a minimum of two years in prison without the option of bail. Dr. Naga Sashibhushan Reddy, the District Medical and Health Officer, reported that out of the 12,045 pregnant women reported through Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) in the district, 1,283 were teenagers. However, the actual figure might be higher due to early terminations. He emphasized that the high incidence of teenage pregnancies was particularly prevalent in Mallanuru, Santhipuram, Rallabuduguru, Majinepalli, and Kangundi areas of the Kuppam region.",
  "summary": "Sumit Kumar says students from Class 6 onwards should be sensitised about the adverse impact of child marriage, legal aspects, and help mechanisms",
  "key_points": [
    "Chittoor Collector Sumit Kumar calls for collective efforts to end child marriages",
    "Awareness campaigns to start in schools for students from Class 6",
    "Swift police action required against violators without political pressure"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}