Assam: 3,047 Arrested So Far In Child Marriage Crackdown

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday took to Twitter to inform about the number of arrests made in connection with child marriage cases across the state. Sharing a graphical representation, the Assam CM informed that so far, a total of 3,047 arrests have been made related to child marriages.

Calling child marriage a “social scourge”, CM Sarma said that the government in Assam is committed towards abolishing the practice one and for all. He wrote, “Child marriage is a social scourge and we are committed to ensure this evil practice is stopped. The arrests in Assam include accused and perpetrators of this crime and not done after verifying their religious affiliations.”

According to the information shared by the Assam CM, the total number of child marriage cases registered across the state stood at 4,235, while a total of 6,707 people remain accused in connection with the matter.

Meanwhile, 3,047 people have been arrested by the Assam Police amidst a statewide crackdown on the social evil, the majority of which are male. As per the date shared by CM Sarma, of the total number of people arrested in the matter, 2,954 are male and 93 are female.

Child marriage is a social scourge and we are committed to ensure this evil practice is stopped. The arrests in Assam include accused and perpetrators of this crime and not done after verifying their religious affiliations. #AssamAgainstChildMarriage pic.twitter.com/jDLSqRFjUM

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) February 17, 2023

Moreover, a total of 2,587 people out of the total arrests, are under judicial custody, while 56 are currently under police custody, informed the Assam CM.

Also Read: Child Marriage Crackdown: Gauhati HC Raises Question on Application of POSCO Act

It may be noted that yesterday, as many as three accused who were held during the crackdown on child marriage in Assam's Baksa district, were granted bail by a court.

As per reports, the three people who were granted bail today included a father-son duo and another person. As the Assam Police continued its crackdown on child marriage cases across the state under instructions from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, at least 300 people had been arrested from the Baksa district.

Of them, only three people got bail yesterday. Those who were granted bail in the matter were identified as Nasiruddin Ali Ahmed, Nani Gopal Chakraborty and Pinku Chakraborty. Their bail was granted by the district's additional sessions court today, reports added.

Also Read: Assam: Arrested In Child Marriage Crackdown, 3 Baksa Men Get Bail