Child marriage: Assam Police’s massive crackdown from today

Earlier, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had affirmed that his government is firm in its resolve to put a stop to child marriage in the state.

The Assam Police will launch a massive crackdown against child marriage from today.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who is spearheading the mission, chaired a crucial meeting last night with senior officials of the police department, including Superintendents of Police of all districts, regarding the police actions that would be launched state-wide.

Earlier, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had affirmed that his government is firm in its resolve to put a stop to child marriage in the state.

Action on the cases will begin starting February 3, 2023 (today), Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had added.

It has been learned that 4,004 cases have been filed in this regard across the state to curb child marriages

Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the police have already arrested more than 1800 people for violating provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.

“So far 1800 people have been arrested, and the operation will run for the next three days. The rest details of the arrested persons will be shared by DGP by evening”, said CM Sarma

It is to be mentioned here that earlier this week, in a big cabinet decision the Assam government decided to book men who marry girls below 14 years in the state under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Chief Minister Sarma expressed grave concern over the fact that 11.7% of women between the age of 15-19 years have already become mothers or pregnant as found during the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS), which is far higher than the national average of 6.8%.

As per the NFHS-5, Dhubri topped the list of women between the age of 15-19 years who have already become mothers or are pregnant with 22.4%, followed by South Salmara 22% and Darrang with 16.1%. The lowest was recorded in Charaideo district with 3.8%.

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