A group of teenage girls have stopped a marriage between an underage couple at Syadi VDC-3 in Bajhang.

The bride-to-be, a 15-year-old, and the groom-to-be, 17-year-old, were supposed to take their wedding vows at a ceremony arranged by their parents on Sunday. But thanks to the intervention from the girls, the marriage was cancelled at the last minute. 

Karan BK, a local man, said the parents of the would-be bride had first ignored the suggestion but they ultimately came around when the girls threatened to call police.

A few day ago, another group of teenage girls had stopped a marriage function involving an underage girl with the help of police in Deulikot VDC. Deputy Superintendent of Police Narendra Chand lauded the girls for their brave action and pledged to stop child marriage with their support. He has urged all aware citizens in Bajhang to report underage marriages. Though child marriage is rampant in Bajhang, the District Police Office has not received any formal complaints till date, Chand said.

According to the District Women and Children Office, about 52 percent of girls in Bajhang marry before their legal age.