Child Marriage Crackdown: 1039 Arrested in Second Round of Raids; 135 from Barak

In a relentless campaign against child marriage, the Assam Police arrested 1039 individuals in a second round of raids, adding to the 1800 arrests made in the initial operation last February. The crackdown, spearheaded by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, underscores the government's unwavering commitment to eradicating the menace of child marriages in the state.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma himself took to X-Handle to announce the significant progress in the anti-child marriage campaign. He stated, "Massive campaign to prevent child marriage. More than 800 accused have been arrested in a special operation by the Assam Police, which started early in the morning." Emphasizing that the number of arrests might continue to rise as the police operation persists.

This latest development follows Chief Minister Himanta's statement in the Legislative Assembly on September 11, where he revealed that 3907 individuals had already been apprehended in the anti-child marriage campaign. Among these, 3319 people had been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The addition of 1039 more arrests further reinforces the government's commitment to addressing this issue.

Notably, the recent arrests include 135 residents from Barak, 55 from Hailakandi, 33 from Cachar, and 47 from Karimganj, underscoring the widespread nature of this problem across different regions of Assam.

The relentless efforts of the Assam Police and the state government in combating child marriages reflect their dedication to protecting the rights and well-being of children. As the crackdown continues, it sends a strong message that such practices will not be tolerated in the state, and the government remains committed to ensuring a brighter future for its young citizens.