Explorer

Child Marriage Crackdown In Assam Continues: Know All That Has Happened So Far

The crackdown on child marriages in Assam has led to the arrests of nearly 2,200 persons.

Guwahati: After a massive crackdown on the drug mafias and cattle smugglers in the state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s action on illegal child marriage has once again divided the opinion in the country on the rationale behind all these moves.

The BJP-led coalition government after assuming power for the second consecutive time in Assam with Himanta Biswa Sarma at the helm of affairs this time around took some drastic steps which attracted the attention of the whole nation. The massive crackdown on child marriage is another such move.

While women in large numbers came out in protest against the state police arresting their husbands and sons for child marriage, CM Sarma said that drive will continue. He stated that action against child marriage would continue as teenage pregnancy in the state was alarmingly high at 16.8 per cent.

"Our drive against child marriage is for public health and public welfare as the teenage pregnancy ratio is quite alarming at 16.8 per cent. We are resolved to continue this drive until we fulfil our objective. We urge the people to cooperate with us in controlling this harmful trend," Sarma tweeted on Monday.

Massive Protests Against State Authorities

Those who have come under the police radar are the parents of the brides, the grooms, and both Hindu and Muslim priests, who conducted such weddings.

The protests are mainly concentrated in Muslim-dominated areas. On Saturday police had to lathi charge and fire tear gas shells to disperse a crowd of women and their relatives who staged a protest outside Tamarhat police station in Dhubri district.

The state government is justifying the move by saying that child marriages in the state had become a menace and reached an alarming proportion thus resulting in a worsening maternal and infant mortality rate.

Action Taken Till Now

Assam police till date have registered 4,074 cases of child marriage. So far, over 2,000 people have been arrested in the massive crackdown across the state, according to reports. The arrests were made under sections of the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006, but are likely to be granted bail by courts.

The state government on January 23 instructed police to apply the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

But the charges of POCSO are non-bailable and if proven guilty, one can face a maximum punishment of three years.

Report by NFHS:

The fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS), conducted in the country between 2019 and 2021, suggests that 31 per cent of the marriages in Assam are underage unions

The survey said that in the years 2019-21, 11.7 per cent of the women between the age group of 15-19 years were already mothers or pregnant at the time of the survey, which is much higher than the national average of 6.8 per cent.

With the issue snowballing into a major controversy at the national level, it needs to be looked at what would be its final outcome.

(The author is a senior journalist covering the Northeast.)

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

Elections 2024: Maharashtra, Jharkhand Brace For Results Today In Mahayuti Vs MVA, INDIA Vs NDA Battles
Maharashtra, Jharkhand Brace For Poll Results Today In Mahayuti Vs MVA, INDIA Vs NDA Battles
Manipur Crisis: Govt To Deploy 90 More CAPF Companies, 258 Dead In Clashes Since May 2023, Security Advisor Says
Manipur Crisis: Govt To Deploy 90 More CAPF Companies, 258 Dead In Clashes Since May 2023
Delhi Pollution: AQI Drops To 'Severe' Again; Gopal Rai Urges Action Post SC Criticism On GRAP Enforcement
Delhi Pollution: AQI Drops To 'Severe' Again; Gopal Rai Urges Action Post SC Criticism On GRAP Enforcement
Jharkhand Election Results: Hemant Soren To Champai Soren — Battles Of Prestige And Revenge To Watch Out For
Hemant Soren To Champai Soren — Battles Of Families, Prestige & Revenge In J'khand Polls
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

What will happen in the Maharashtra & Jharkhand Election Result 2024? | ABP NewsDelhi News: 'Rewadi Samvad Abhiyan launched' Cabinet Minister Imran Hussain says he will go amidst the publicBreaking News: Big news related to Maharashtra cash scandal | Vinod Tawde | BJP | Congress | ABP NewsUP Bypolls: Akhilesh gets angry as inspector points a pistol at him, makes a big revelation | ABP News

Photo Gallery

Embed widget