Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Assam police are widening their net against child marriage. Authorities have registered 481 cases and arrested 565 people across the state as of October 29. The operation shows no signs of slowing down. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the latest figures on social media, vowing to sustain the campaign until the practice is erased. He stated, “As of now, 565 arrested and 481 cases registered. The crackdown continues until child marriage is eradicated from Assam.”
Specific enforcement efforts have been intense. In Sribhumi district, police arrested 32 people, including 28 grooms and four middlemen, following 28 registered cases on October 26. Ratabari Police Station handled 10 of these arrests. Meanwhile, Dhubri district reported 63 detentions across nine police stations. Dhubri Sadar led the district with 18 people taken into custody, followed by Golakganj with 15, Bilasipara with nine, and Gauripur with eight. Chapar and Fakirganj each recorded five detentions, while Tamarhat logged two and Agomoni one. These detainees include alleged participants, parents, and guardians.
Sarma previously reported that over 12,000 cases have been registered since the campaign began, leading to over 11,000 arrests and an 81 percent decline in the practice across 20 districts. The state government aims to be free of child marriage by 2026. Beyond law enforcement, the government is shifting focus to infrastructure and community support. Sarma announced a 250 crore rupee package for Tinsukia, earmarking 200 crore for roads and drainage and 50 crore for a 1,000-seat auditorium. He also launched the Samagra Seva digital app to streamline municipal services.
During a two-day visit to Dibrugarh and Tinsukia, Sarma addressed land rights for Moran, Matak, and tribal communities. The government will train local youths to assist with online applications for Mission Basundhara 4.0. Additionally, the Chief Minister is set to lead the BJP’s Loktantra Bachao Arajakta Hatao padyatra in Shimla on November 1. Party leaders intend to hold four major protest marches across Himachal Pradesh, with events also scheduled for Dharamshala, Mandi, and Hamirpur.
Comments