Wednesday, May 11 2005 18:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Even as a woman's arm was chopped off in Madhya Pradesh possibly in reaction to her efforts to prevent child marriage, Chief Minister Babulal Gaur today (May 11, 2005) expressed helplessness saying it was "not possible" to stop the social evil.

"It is not possible to stop it. Have we been able to end alcoholism or untouchability? If Gandhiji could not succeed in this, how can Babulal Gaur," he told reporters in New Delhi today.

He was responding to a query regarding the spurt in child marriages on the occasion of 'Akshay Tritia', which fell today. The occasion is considered auspicious by Hindus for marriage.

"The Sharda Act, enacted to prevent child marriage, is so ancient. But even after so many decades of the law coming into being, child marriages continue to take place. We cannot stop it forcefully. What is required is awareness," he said.

Asked about the attack on the woman, a Supervisor in the Department of Women and Child Development, in Dhar district of the State, the Chief Minister said he had asked for a report on the incident from the District Collector.

He said so far the woman, Shakuntala Verma, had not identified her attacker, adding it could not be confirmed yet whether the attack was related to her inquiries in the area regarding child marriage.

Apparently angry over her queries on child marriages, a youth allegedly cut off the arm of the woman with a sword in a village in Dhar.