GuwahatiIn a major crackdown against child marriage, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday warned that those marrying girls below the age of 18 would be arrested. CM Sarma also warned that action against those persons would start from Friday. The firebrand Assam BJP leader further informed that “a total of 4,004 child marriage cases have been registered across the state.”
CM Sarma took to Twitter and shared a report prepared by the Assam Police and said, “Assam government is steadfast in its resolve to end the menace of child marriage in the state. Till now @assampolice has registered 4,004 cases across the state More police action is likely in a few days. Action on cases will start from February 3 (Friday). I request everyone to cooperate.”
The Assam government is firm in its resolve to end the menace of child marriage in the state.
So far @assampolice 4,004 cases have been registered across the state and more police action is likely in the coming days. Action on the cases will start from February 3. I request everyone to cooperate. pic.twitter.com/JH2GTVLhKJ– Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) February 2, 2023
As per the report, the maximum number of cases (370) were reported in Dhubri district, followed by Hojai (255) and Udalguri (235). At least 192 cases were registered at the Guwahati Police Commissionerate. At the age of 24, the state’s Dima Hasao district reported the lowest number of child marriages.
The Chief Minister of Assam had recently reiterated his government’s commitment to prevent early marriage and motherhood and warned that thousands of husbands would be arrested in the next five-six months as girls below the age of 14 would be arrested. Having sex with is a crime.
Speaking at a government function, the Assam BJP leader suggested that women should embrace motherhood at an “appropriate age” as it otherwise leads to medical complications. Sarma’s remarks came in the backdrop of the state government’s move to bring in stringent laws to check child marriage and underage motherhood, and to invoke the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.
“Marrying a minor girl is not only against the law, but it also violates the fundamental rights of a girl child and is quite hazardous to her health. As per the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act and Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, all husbands of such young women will be imprisoned and charged,” said CM Sarma.
The Assam government has decided to initiate action against child marriage in the state in response to the disturbing data of an official survey conducted by the health department, which said that on an average, 31 per cent girls in Assam are married before marriage. Went. Legal age of 18 years.
The Chief Minister said, “It is disturbing that such a large number of underage girls are being married. The state government has decided to book all those husbands who impregnate a girl child before the age of 18 years.” are responsible for.” Added.
The Assam chief minister warned that the legal age of marriage for a woman is 18 and action would be taken against those marrying underage girls. “Many (men marrying the girls) could be jailed for life,” he warned.
Talking about motherhood, Sarma said, “Women should not wait too long to become mothers as complications arise. The suitable age for motherhood is 22 years to 30 years. Sarma said in a lighter vein that women who have not married yet should get it done soon. We have been speaking out against early motherhood. But at the same time, women should not wait either. Unless or so many do… God has made our bodies in such a way that there is an appropriate age for everything,” he said.
It may be recalled that the Assam cabinet on Monday decided to book men who marry girls below the age of 14 under the POCSO Act. Those marrying girls in the age group of 14-18 years will be prosecuted under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.