Brahmanbarhia schoolgirl says 'no' to child marriage

A schoolgirl in Brahmanbarhia has scuttled an attempt to marry her off to an expatriate Bangladeshi.

The bridegroom fled with his relatives after police had showed up at the marriage venue on Friday night.

Ranikhan Union Parishad's Member Syed Jahangir Alam said the girl's family was forcing her into marrying the man.

The girl is a grade-VIII student of local SA Hannan Secondary and Vocational High School.

Bangladesh's law prohibits marriage of girls below the age of 18 years.

Alam said she had fled from the wedding venue with assistance from her classmates after the bridegroom arrived.

She took shelter in school teacher Mujibur Rahman's house who contacted Akhaurha Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

The UNO ordered police to stop the marriage.

Police said the girl had been handed over to her relatives who promised not to get her married off before she turns 18.

Schoolteacher Rahman said he used to talk against child marriage in classes to raise awareness.

"I told them to contact me if anyone's parents tried to marry them off early," he said.