Rajgarh (Rajasthan): In a rescue operation, a joint team of officials from the administration, police, and a child welfare organization rescued a 17-year-old girl from a forced marriage in Madhopura village, under the Karnawas police station area of Rajasthan.

The girl, a resident of Belas village, was being forced to marry against her will by her family members. She had been sent to her maternal uncle's house 15 days ago, where preparations for the wedding were underway. The girl's family had also performed a ritual, known as 'dhehri', in her village just seven days ago, as part of the wedding preparations.

In a desperate bid to escape the forced marriage, the girl made a call to the authorities, pleading for help. "I'm still underage, my family is forcing me to get married. Please rescue me," she said.

The joint team, comprising the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, the Deputy Director of the Women and Child Development Department, the police, and representatives from the Ahinsa Welfare Society, arrived at the scene and counseled the girl. They also convinced her family members to call off the wedding.

The girl was then taken to a safe shelter, where she was provided protection and counseling. The officials involved in the rescue operation have ensured that the girl is now safe and out of harm's way.

According to Arun Satalkar, Director of the Ahinsa Welfare Society, Rajgarh, the girl had been sent to her maternal uncle's house 15 days ago, where she was being forced to prepare for the wedding. "The girl told us that she was being forced to get married, and if she was sent back to her family, they would secretly get her married," Satalkar said.

In a heart-wrenching appeal, the girl had told the authorities that she did not want to go back to her family, fearing that they would forcibly get her married. The officials involved in the rescue operation have ensured that the girl is now safe and out of harm's way.