Krishnanagar, Feb. 28: Nadia district administration today arranged marriage of a 20 year old girl from Siliguri who was forced to escape from home being tortured by her step mother and rescued by police near Gede. Asha Das of Baghajatin colony today tied the marital knot with Buddhadeb Biswas, a civic volunteer attached to Krishnaganj police stationfrom, who appealed the district administration expressing his wish to marry her two months ago.
The marriage was solemnized at a Kali temple in Santipur in presence of officials of police and district administration. Officials attached to Krishnaganj police station and District social welfare department came up to bear the expenses of the marriage playing the role of “bridal party” and also hosted a dinner in honor of the newly married couple at a destitute home in Krishnanagar.
Registration of marriage will be done on March 2.
Daughter of Asit Das, a auto-rickshaw driver, Asha left home early in last year with some of her friends being unable to bear alleged mental torture unleashed by her step mother.
In Kolkata, she lost her friends and eventually boarded a Gede bound train. A woman in Gede spotted her in distress while roaming in Gede and called police who rescued her.
Former officer in charge of Krishnaganj police station Mukunda Chakraborty, who done the “Kanyadaan” today said: “At the police station I talked to the girl and advised her go back home. But she was not eager. Nevertheless, I informed her parents about her recovery and requested them to take her back home. But, they refused instantly”.
“We so produced her before court, which ordered her safe custody at a home in Karimpur”.
However, things changed for Asha, a few months ago when Buddhadeb expressed his desire to marry Asha. He also made an appeal before DM for the nod, which was granted in last week after necessary verification.
Buddhadeb, who resides in Sibniwas village acknowledged that he fell in love with Asha, when first saw her in distress. “I got courage and expressed my love. I am lucky that she responded”, Buddhadeb said.
SDO (Sadar) Krishnanagar Unis Rishin Ismail said: “The two adult persons mutually agreed upon to get married. The administration had as such no objection. But, as the girl was under safe custody at a government run home, we advised the police to get verification of both bride and groom’s character and antecedent. We also informed the girl’s parents about the marriage. Once we get a positive report from police, the permission was accorded and the social welfare officer was asked to arrange the marriage”.
Today Ashoke Sarkar, in charge of Karimpur based home took Asha to Govindapur Kali temple, where women officials of social welfare department given her bridal attire. The marriage was solemnized in the afternoon.
A beaming Asha said: “I wanted a life free of hatred and dishonor. Today Buddha and administration given me a new life. I am grateful to Mukunda Sir, who treated me lime his daughter and tried to understand my problemen”.
Mukunda Chakraborty, who is now in charge of Dhubulia police said: “I would be happy if the administration helps the girl to earn a livelihood as she is HS passed”.
Responding to it the SDO said: “I have told our officials to collect Sasha’s qualification certificates and to arrange a suitable training like nursing so that she can contribute for a better living”.