Guwahati: The Assam police arrested several hundred people in connection with child marriage cases in the state.
Meanwhile, police have started massive crackdown against the child marriage after the chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced strict action against the menace.
The Assam police have registered 4,004 child marriage cases across the state.
Earlier, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The main reason for high infant mortality rate and Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is child marriage. The state has an average of 31 per cent marriages in the prohibited age,”.
“There are over one lakh child marriage cases and police in next 15 days will lunch crackdown and take legal action. Around 11.07 women have to bear children in the non-permitted age. This shows child marriage is happening alarmingly,” Sarma stated.
Sarma said the government has decided to try male marrying females below 14 years of age under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO)Act.
Assam Govt 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,” Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted.
Speaking to media persons, Assam Chief minister said, “In last 20 years, no discussion on child marriage subject. I have attended many internal and external meetings but no discussion had happended on this particular subject. After the discussion on IMR-MMR, the child marriage subject has been gain importance. This has been ignited from NFHS survey report,”.