Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday that the state police's drive against child marriage, which began the day before, will continue until the next assembly elections in 2026.
According to an official statement, more than 2,250 people have been arrested in the state so far in the crackdown against child marriage.
According to the statement, 2,258 people have been detained as a result of 4,074 FIRs filed against child marriages across the state.
At least 139 persons have been captured in Biswanath, 128 in Barpeta, and 127 in Dhubri, as per the police statement.
According to Sarma, parents participating in underage marriages are currently being given a warning rather than being arrested.
"Our drive will continue till 2026 when the next assembly elections will be due. We are hopeful that by then, there will be no case of child marriage in the state," the chief minister said, PTI reported.
Over 8,000 people were charged in over 4,000 incidences of child marriage.
"If we leave the parents out, the number of accused, who will face arrests, comes to around 3,500," he stated, as per the PTI report.
According to the CM, deputy commissioners have been directed to "control the system of kazis" (Muslim priests who conduct marriages) and create general awareness against the menace.
The state cabinet recently decided that those that married girls under the age of 14 shall be prosecuted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.
The ministerial council also decided that proceedings under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, will be filed against individuals who married girls aged 14 to 18.
They will be arrested, and their weddings will be ruled unconstitutional.
If the groom is below 14 years of age, he will be taken to a "reform house".
According to National Family Health Survey data, Assam has a high prevalence of infant and maternal mortality, with child marriage being the leading cause, accounting for 31 per cent of marriages registered in the state.
The AIUDF has spoken out against the crackdown, claiming that incarcerating people without raising awareness is wrong. Aminul Islam, an AIUDF MLA, stated that the party is likewise opposed to child marriage.
"But the government is not focusing on steps like spreading awareness, increasing literacy rate. Sending people to jail in name of child marriage is wrong. The Assam Govt has still not made rules to implement the Prevention of Child Marriages Act," Aminul remarked.
"AIUDF is against child marriage but Govt not focus on steps like spreading awareness, increasing literacy rate. Sending people to jail in name of child marriage is wrong. Assam Govt has still not made rules to implement Prevention of Child Marriages Act:" Aminul Islam was quoted as saying by ANI.
(With Inputs From Agencies)