SWABI, Oct 27: Police with the help of a government-run helpline for the rights of children thwarted an attempt by a local jirga to marry off a girl to the rival family for settling a dispute in Yar Hussain area of the district.

Sources said that police compelled both the families to submit surety bonds that the 12-year-old girl would not be handed over to the rival group and in case of violation they would be responsible in future.

The helpline, Rehbar, run by the social welfare department, had received a call few days ago that a girl was being given in swara to settle a dispute. Her marriage was also planned the same day.

According to the helpline, a teenaged boy tried to assault a minor girl in the area. The girl was saved by her uncle, however, the boy managed to escape from the scene.

The issue was raised in a jirga by the family members of the girl. The jirga decided that the boy should be handed over to the aggrieved family so that they could take the revenge. But the boy's family declined to accept the decision.

Later, it was decided that a minor cousin of the alleged accused should be given in swara to the rival family. When the helpline came to know about the issue it submitted an application to the DSP concerned at Swabi. The DSP referred the case to the police station at Yar Hussain.

A team of the helpline also visited the village to ascertain facts. A woman social worker of the helpline also visited the residence the girl. She claimed that the girl and her mother were scared and were crying as they were helpless before the jirga.The father of the girl was called by the police. After negotiations police and the helpline managed a written agreement between both the parties bounding them not to give the girl in swara .

The jirga members were also informed about the legal action to be taken against them in case they failed to follow the law.