Guwahati: The Assam government is launching a massive crackdown across the state to stop cases of child marriage. The state government is firm in its resolve to end the “menace” in the state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday.
Seeking cooperation from people in the initiative, the Assam CM said that the action on the 4,004 registered cases would begin on Friday.
“Assam government 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," tweeted Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
According to the data shared by Sarma, highest number of child marriage cases were registered in the Dhubri district with 370 cases, followed by Hojai with 255 cases and Udalguri with 235 cases. Dima Hasao has the lowest number of such cases.
What Do The Acts Say
As per the 1929 Act, marriage of girls below the age of 14 years and boys below the age of 18 years was prohibited. The Act was amended in 1978 to increase the minimum age to 18 years for females, and 21 years for men. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 replaced the 1929 Act, with the same minimum age limits.
The protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act of 2012 defines a child as an individual under the age of 18 and it criminalises sex between an under-age child and an adult.
The Assam cabinet has decided to book men who marry girls under 14 years old under the POCSO Act, 2012, while those who marry girls between 14 and 18 years old will be tried under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, the CM said.
Social Media Adding On To Menace
Interestingly, social media connect through whatsapp, facebook etc, is also contributing to the menace of child marriage in Assam.
Sunita Changkakoti, Chairperson of Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) told ABP Live that many underage boys and girls are getting hooked through social media and getting married.
Changkakoti said that due to government’s initiative and push, so many cases of child marriages are now being reported in the state.
“Several cases go unreported as the families reach a compromise formula after an underage marriage,” she said.
Kailash Satthyarthi Lauds Government’s Efforts
Nobel laureate Kailash Satthyarthi also praised the efforts of the Assam government in tackling child marriage.
“Glad to receive a call from Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi this morning, inquiring about our Govt's drive against child marriage that leads to childbirth at young age, risking both mother and child. He lauded our endeavour and promised all assistance from his organisation Kailash Satyarthi Children Foundation,” CM Sarma said.
The decision to implement stricter laws against child marriage was made to reduce the high rate of maternal and infant mortality in the state, which is primarily caused by child marriage, according to Sarma.