She Had to Run Away From Home at 17 | Tripura’s Child Brides’ Escape
September 26, 2026
Tripura has the highest rate of child marriage in Northeast India and the third highest in India, a state facing severe social issues related to the safety of young girls and trafficking.
Among them is Purbita who had to run away from her home at the age of 17 after her parents forced her to marry. She wanted to finish school, become a police officer, and build an independent future. Instead, she found herself under growing pressure to marry before turning 18. As the pressure intensified, she made a difficult decision. She left home and sought help. Purbita's story is not an isolated case.
Through the story of a survivor, an interview with a women's rights activist, and conversations with an official who spoke on condition of anonymity, this investigation examines what lies behind the numbers.
The Tripura government says it prevented nearly 10,000 child marriages during the 2025–26 financial year. But questions remain about how these figures are recorded and what happens after a marriage is stopped. The film also examines the factors that continue to drive child marriage, including poverty, school dropout, concerns about girls' safety, and, in some cases, trafficking.