Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi Hits Out At Assam CM Himanta Sarma, Calls Child Marriage Clampdown 'Foolish'

The Assam government is in the process of formulating a rehabilitation policy for the victims of child marriage, especially for those girls whose husbands have been arrested in the recent crackdown.

Assam Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi hit out at Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday for crackdown on child marriage in the state. The statement by Gogoi comes after a 16-year-old pregnant married girl died while she was on her way to hospital in Bongaigaon district of Assam, reported news agency ANI.

Gogoi took to Twitter and wrote, "This innocent girl's death is at the hands of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma whose foolish step has led to pregnant teenagers avoiding hospitals for childbirth. The infant is without a mother and the father is in jail."

He also spoke to ANI on the issue and said "Girls under 18 who are pregnant are choosing to deliver their child at home, not going to the hospitals because they are afraid of getting their fathers & husbands arrested.

On Thursday, the Assam cabinet complimented police for its campaign against child marriage, and further directed it to continue with the clampdown.

Meanwhile, Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson, National Commission for Protection Of Child Rights has welcomed the move taken by the Himanta Biswa Sarma led government in Assam for its campaign.

"Action taken by Assam govt against child marriages should be followed by other States as well. Assam govt constituting a panel to frame policy to rehabilitate child marriage victims is a welcome step, said Priyank Kanoongo to ANI.

The Assam government is in the process of formulating a rehabilitation policy for the victims of child marriage, especially for those girls whose husbands have been arrested in the recent crackdown.

So far, Assam police have arrested 2,278 persons in connection with the cases related to child marriage across the state and have registered 4,074 cases as part of their state-wide crackdown on child marriages, reported the news agency.

According to the data shared by Assam police, 216 persons have been arrested in Hojai, 184 in Nagaon, 183 in Dhubri, 158 in Baksa, 146 in Barpeta, 140 in Biswanath, 128 in Morigaon, 121 in Bongaigaon, 118 in Hailakandi, 108 in Kokrajhar, 107 in Karimganj, 102 in Kamrup.