As many as 2044 people have been arrested in a massive crackdown on child marriage in Assam so far, Director General of Police GP Singh said, news agency ANI reported.
Since the state cabinet resolved to take action on January 23, the police had registered 4,047 incidents of child marriage in less than a week, with the arrest of offenders and the simultaneous beginning of a comprehensive awareness campaign.
"About 2 months ago, CM HB Sarma had told police that he had got inputs that child marriage was rampant in the sta&directed Police to carry out a probe. During last 2 days, 4074 cases across different districts of the State. Till 3pm today, 2044 people arrested till now," Assam DGP Singh was quoted by ANI on its official Twitter handle.
"52 priests and Qazis involved in child marriages have been arrested so far. The maximum number of people have been arrested from Dhubri, Barpeta, Kokrajhar, Vishwanath districts," he further stated.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said that he has asked the Assam police to act against the menace with 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," he had tweeted earlier in the day.
Those who have married girls under the age of 14 will face charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, while those who have married girls between the ages of 14 and 18 would face charges under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, PTI reported.
They will be arrested, and their weddings will be ruled unconstitutional.
If the youngster is under the age of 14, he will be transferred to a reform house since minors cannot be convicted in court.
Priests, kazis, and family members participating in such weddings will also face charges, Sarma has stated.
(With Inputs From Agencies)