Assam govt launches massive crackdown on child marriages, over 2000 people arrested

Assam police arrested more than 2,000 people on Friday all over the state in connection with the child marriages.

Police have arrested a maximum number of people from the four districts of the state, such as Dhubri, Barpeta, Kokrajhar, and Vishwanath.

Assam Director-General of Police (DGP) GP Singh said that the police have lodged over 4000 cases in several districts of the state. Singh went on to say that among the arrested people there were 52 priests and Qazis, as they were involved in child marriages. 

DGP Singh further added that the action is being taken at the direction of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa. The CM urged the police about two months ago to complete a full investigation as he got information that child marriage was widespread in the state.

All the district SPs came into action after getting the order from the chief minister to get in touch with villagers, prominent people, and chiefs of numerous clans to find out the total number of child marriages across the state.

During the last two days of the probe, police have lodged 4074 cases in the different districts of Assam.

The DGP further added that most of the cases have been registered under different provisions of the POCSO Act and IPC sections, and action will be taken as per the law. All the arrested people will have to appear in court.

The chief minister of Assam tweeted, “I have urged the Assam Police not to show any tolerance against the culprits who were involved in heinous crimes against women.”

CM Sarma further added that the police would take action against those who are involved in child marriages in the state and operations against the culprits would continue in the coming days.