Mysuru:  Stressing on the need for launching more awareness programmes on child marriage, Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G. Sankar has called for strict measures to prevent child marriages.

Chairing a meeting of the District Co-ordination Committee of the Women and Child Welfare Department at the DC’s office here on Thursday, the DC said that child marriage is a bane  to the society.

Emphasising on the need for sensitising school children on the ill-effects of child marriage, he instructed the officials to prepare a list of areas that are prone to child marriages and conduct awareness  programmes there.

Additional DC Anuradha said it is deeply disappointing to note that several poor parents are resorting to child marriage after discontinuing the studies of their daughters.

Asking the teachers to keep a watch on teenage students as they are prone to be distracted by attractions of the materialistic world, she underlined the need for educating the children on leading a good and contented life.

Pointing out that the Women and Child Welfare Department was capable of protecting women in domestic violence cases, Anuradha directed the officials to come to the aid of helpless women.

Women and Child Welfare Deputy Director K. Padma, DHO Dr. R. Venkatesh and other officials were present at the meeting.