Assam: CM Announces Massive Drive Against Child Marriage In The State

GUWAHATI : Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, announced a massive drive against child marriage in the state of Assam on 23rd of January, Monday. The prime motive behind this drive is to eradicate the social evil completely from the region.

It will be carried out for 15 days across the state. The decision has been made by the government following a list of cases of child marriage. 

The CM further mentioned that, any individual who marries a girl under the age of 14 years, will be arrested under the Protection of Child from Sexual Abuses (POCSO) act. The rules will be more stern in the gram panchayat, the CM added. 

He further ordered the state police department to initiate a drive against this crime, and nab each one of the people engaged in this evil activity within the mentioned time period. The offender will be punished under the law if a marriage takes place at the prohibited age, stated Himanta Biswa Sarma. 

If the marriage takes place inside a temple, then the priest shall be punished for initiating the rituals. In addition to this, stern action will be taken against the parents, judge and every individual involved in a child marriage. 

The CM ordered to fill up the spaces of jail by detaining the culprits of child marriage. The development came to the fore after National Family Health Survey (NFHS) released data mentioning that 11.7% of girls in the state became pregnant at a minor age. 

It is worth mentioning that, Assam has recently recorded a rise in child marriages. The regions from where maximum number of such cases has been registered include, Dhubri (50%), Darrang (42%), Nagaon (42%). 

Along with that, regions where girls conceive before the legal age includes; Darrang (16%), Kamrup (15%), Hojai (11.6%), Dhubri (22%) and South Salmari (22%).

 Also Read :Assam: CM Announces 3% Hike In Salary Of Casual Employees

Also Watch :