Dispur: The Assam government has decided to book men who marry girls below the age of 14 in the state under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Child marriage is the major reason for the high maternal and infant mortality rate in the state, he said, adding that 31 per cent of the marriages in the state are done in the prohibited age group.
Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting on Monday, the CM said, “We will take massive action against child marriage in the state. Those marrying girls below the age of 14 will be booked under the POCSO Act.” Will be done.”
The POCSO Act of 2012 defines a child as a person below the age of 18 years and criminalises sexual intercourse between an underage child and an adult. The Chief Minister said that if the age of the bride is between 14 and 18 years, cases would be registered under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
The legal age of marriage is 18 for women and 21 for men. Panchayat Secretaries of the villages of the State will also be designated as Child Marriage Prohibition Officers. Therefore, henceforth, complaints in case of child marriage will be lodged before the panchayat secretary of the village.”