Outrageous rise in child marriages in Assam

Assam has seen an outrageous rise in child marriage cases in the state as it grew by more than 10 times in 2017-18.

Social Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Brahma on Saturday revealed at the Assam Assembly that number of child marriage cases in the State increased to 317 in 2017-18. The information was provided following a question from Congress MLA Roslina Tirkey.

There were 32 such instances during 2015-16 which increased to 96 during 2016-17 and 317 during 2017-18, the minister told the House.

The highest number of child marriages in 2017-18 as well as 2016-17 was registered in Kamrup (rural) district with 59 such cases, the minister informed.

Neighboring Barpeta district followed with 39 and Baksa district with 26 instances this year, she added.

There were no reports of such instances in 2015-16.