Assam: 1,039 arrested in latest crackdown on child marriage

The Assam police arrested about 1,039 people during a fresh drive against child marriage on Tuesday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma updated on hix X account. In February this year, 3,907 people were arrested during the first such drive that drew condemnation from civil groups.

The campaign against child marriage targets marginal Muslim groups and tribals in the state who practise child marriage and early-age marriage. Although a breakdown in terms of the religion of the detained people is unavailable, Muslim groups have raised concerns about the drive.

The number now stands at 1,039. https://t.co/RTAOh3slWj

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 3, 2023

The Assam government has also decided to end polygamy alongside the drive against child marriage. After consulting all stakeholders, it constituted a three-member panel a few weeks ago to draft an anti-polygamy law. 

They bulldoze our homes, lynch our people, & find all sorts of reasons to fill us into jails. This is @himantabiswa about whom we highlighted u 2 days back. Today, 1000 Muslims arrested, 1000 families torn apart by him accusing child-Marriage. What will u do? U can DM us for more… pic.twitter.com/IO4q6KRshs

— International Council of Indian Muslims (@ICIMonline) October 3, 2023

The Chief Minister said the law could be enacted by the end of 2023.

About 32% of women in Assam marry before they attain adulthood, according to NFHS. This is higher than the national average of 23 per cent.

Sarma on 03 February, informed that Assam accounted for 16.8% of teenage pregnancies resulting from child marriages.