Agartala, July 10: The administration of Sepahijala District has proudly announced that ten villages have been designated as 'Child Marriage Free.' This declaration was made during a recent virtual ceremony for laying the foundation stone and inaugurating projects at the Bishalgarh New Town Hall, attended by Chief Minister Manik Saha.

The villages recognized for this achievement include Promod Nagar, Doyarampara, Twima, JK Nagar, East and West Ratanpur, Rambagar, Batharmura, Rampada Para, and Padmininagar. Their selection followed a thorough three-tier verification process.

Initially, block authorities assessed field data, which was then followed by comprehensive reviews and site visits conducted by the Sub-Divisional Magistrates. The final approval came from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of Sepahijala, confirming that there had been no reported instances of child marriage in these areas over the last six months.

To acknowledge the efforts of community leaders who contributed to this success, the Pradhans and Secretaries of the recognized villages were honored for their active roles in raising awareness, monitoring, and mobilizing the community.

In a bid to sustain this progress, the district administration introduced 'Mission Sankalp.' This collaborative initiative, involving the Education Department, Social Welfare & Social Education Department, and other relevant departments, aims to establish Sepahijala as the first 'Child Marriage Free District' in the state.

Mission Sankalp will prioritize awareness campaigns, empower girls through education and vocational training, activate village-level child protection committees, and enhance community monitoring via schools, Anganwadi centers, and panchayats.

According to an official, 'This announcement is more than just a symbolic gesture; it sets a benchmark for the entire state of Tripura. As the state confronts persistent social issues, Sepahijala's initiative serves as a model for grassroots change, demonstrating how administrative dedication and community engagement can transform the future for children.'