Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Feb 3: Over 1,800 people have been arrested in a massive crackdown on child marriage in Assam that started on Friday, said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The Chief Minister said that he has asked the Assam police to act against the menace with a ‘spirit of zero tolerance’.
“State wide arrests are presently underway against those violating provisions of Prohibhiton of Child Marriage Act. 1800 + have been arrested so far. I have asked @assampolice to act with a spirit of zero tolerance against the unpardonable and heinous crime on women,” tweeted Sarma.
State wide arrests are presently underway against those violating provisions of Prohibhiton of Child Marriage Act .
1800 + have been arrested so far.
I have asked @assampolice to act with a spirit of zero tolerance against the unpardonable and heinous crime on women
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) February 3, 2023
Currently, police are investigating 4,004 cases of child marriage registered across Assam in less than a fortnight, the Chief Minister said on Thursday, announcing the crackdown starting from Friday.
“Assam Govt is firm in its resolve to end the menace of child marriage in the state. So far @assampolice has registered 4,004 cases across the state and more police action is likely in days ahead. Action on the cases will begin starting February 3. I request all to cooperate,” he tweeted.
Most of the individuals arrested were identified to be husbands accused of child marriages.
The Assam cabinet has announced to indict men marrying girls below 14 years of age under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences or POCSO Act, whereas men who married teen girls in the 14-18 years age group will be charged under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
CM Sarma also added that the combat against child marriage will be secular and that no particular community will be targeted.
Reportedly, Assam has a high maternal and infant mortality rate with child marriage being the primary cause.
“The main reason for the high infant mortality rate and Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is child marriage. The state has an average of 31 per cent of marriages in the prohibited age,” said CM Sarma.
