Guwahati: In a massive crackdown on child marriage in the state, the Assam Police have arrested more than 1800 linked to this still prevalent social evil. State wide arrests are presently underway against those violating provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Twitter.
"1800 plus 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," he wrote on Twitter. The crack down followed the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's appeal for cooperation to support the government's action to rid the state of child marriage menace.
"Chaired a VC of SPs in presence of DGP @gpsinghips regarding State-wide police action to be launched from tomorrow against child marriage & reviewed the arrangements. I appeal to people to extend support & cooperate with us in our endeavour to rid the State of the evil practice(sic)," he wrote on Twitter sharing images from the meeting.
On Thursday, Himanta sharing a list on Twitter wrote, "Assam government is firm in its resolve to end the menace of child marriage in the state. So far Assam Police 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 (Friday). I request all to cooperate(sic)."
Talking to the media, Himanta said thousands of husbands will be arrested in the state from February 3. Those who have married girls below 14 years of age and have begotten children will be arrested under the POCSO Act. Subsequently, the police started acting against the suspects from from Thursday evening onwards.
The arrests were initiated from Batadrava, Morigaon, Dhing, Laharighat, Majuli, Chariduar and other places till the midnight of Thursday. Data suggests the highest number of cases (370) were registered in the Dhubri district and least in Hilakandi District (1). Also, there are reports suggesting girls as young as 9 years of age becoming mothers.
The CM warned that anyone indulging in child marriage will be straightaway jailed. Cases will be registered under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, in case the bride is aged between 14 to 18 years old. He also assured that the 'wives' of the arrested husbands will get free rice immediately. He added that they will also be enrolled under the 'Orunodoi' scheme, wherein poor households are provided monthly monetary assistance.
