According to Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, more than 1,800 persons have been detained so far in the state’s extensive campaign against child marriage.
The crackdown started early in the morning and will go for several days.
According to the Chief Minister, he has ordered the Assam police to combat the threat in 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 Mr Sarma.
The Chief Minister had announced yesterday that the crackdown would begin on Friday and that police are looking into more than 4,000 incidents of child marriage that had been reported throughout Assam in less than a fortnight.
“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.
Men who marry young girls under the age of 14 will be charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, while those who marry girls between the ages of 14 and 18 will be charged under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
Men who marry young girls under the age of 14 will be charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, while those who marry girls between the ages of 14 and 18 will be charged under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
The Chief Minister added that no particular community will be singled out in the “battle” against child marriage because it will be “secular.” Priests and clerics, among others, “will also face action for facilitating such weddings,” he warned.
In Assam, child marriage is the main factor contributing to the high prevalence of mother and newborn death.
“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 Mr Sarma.
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