Child Marriage: Amid arrests over child marriage in Assam, a woman allegedly committed suicide on Saturday (February 4), fearing that her father would also be arrested as he had married her as a minor. Was done during
NDTV also told in its report that another woman has gone to the police station and threatened that she will also commit suicide if her father and husband are not released. Amidst all this, many women gheraoed the police station in Tamarhat of Dhubri district and also blocked the highway. The protesting women demand that her husband, arrested on charges of child marriage, be released.
What is the matter?
Assam Police Director General of Police G.P. Singh told that 2 thousand people were arrested on Friday (February 3) as part of a comprehensive campaign against child marriage. Pandits and Maulvis who conducted such marriages are also included in the arrested accused. Police said that they have a list of 8,000 accused and the operation will continue.
What did CM Himanta Biswa Sarma say?
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the arrests that started across the state from Friday morning will continue for the next three to four days. The state cabinet had decided on January 23 that those guilty of child marriage would be arrested and a massive awareness campaign would also be launched. Let us tell you that after this announcement, the police have registered 4,004 cases of child marriage.
Case will be under POCSO Act
Recently decided that those marrying girls below the age of 14 will be booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act and those marrying girls aged 14-18 will be booked under the Child Marriage Prevention Act. A case will be registered under the Act, 2006. The marriage will be declared illegal by arresting such people. If the age of the boy is also less than 14 years, then he will be sent to the reformation home because minors cannot be produced in the court.
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