Guwahati: Weeks after launching a massive crackdown against child marriage in the state, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said his government is determined to eradicate the evil by 2026. The Chief Minister of Assam said that his government has taken several measures to eliminate the menace.
The CM said, “Child marriage should end in Assam by 2026. Our government will take strict action to end child marriage.” The CM said, “Our government has allocated Rs 200 crore for this in this budget so that we can appoint a special lawyer for each child marriage case. We want to see everyone guilty.”
Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “We will start a campaign against child marriage in the state and arrest people every 2-3 months. We will open a helpline number. We have chargesheeted 900 cases so far. We have acted as per the law.” Have done.” ,
He further said that his government has also taken initiatives to make people aware about this menace. CM Sarma said, “Our government will work for the rehabilitation of the victim by providing scholarship, free education, free rice schemes. We should not compromise on child marriage. We are following the law.”
According to the state government, 50 persons were arrested in the state in 2017, 106 in 2018, 156 in 2019, 216 in 2020, 166 in 2021, 257 in 2022 in the state under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. it was done. and 3,098 in the first two months of this year.
On the other hand, 932 persons were arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012 (POCSO) in the state in 2017, while 1393 in 2018, 1428 in 2019, 1471 in 2020, 1500 in 2021, 1537 it was done. in 2022 and 647 in the first two months of 2023.