In an overnight crackdwn on chid marriage, the Assam Police on Tuesday arrested 1,039 people, officials said. According to them, the highest number of arrests were made in Dhubri district with 192 individuals detained, followed by Barpeta district with 142 arrests. As per media reports, in Karimganj district, 46 individuals were apprehended.
It has been reported that the state-wide operation was part of an ambitious initiative by the Assam government to eradicate child marriage in the state by 2026. According to the police, a total of 706 cases have been registered so far.
In February, nearly 3,000 people were arrested in a similar action by the state government.
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Taking to X, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "In a massive crackdown against child marriage, Assam Police has arrested over 800 accused persons in a special operation which began in the early hours of dawn."
He later added that the number rose to 1,039.
Opposition's reaction
Reacting to the BJP-led government's move, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) criticised the manner in which the crackdown was implemented.
Acording to the party's MLA Rafiqul Islam, it was incorrect to suggest that only Muslims were involved in child marriages, adding, "Every community is there, not just Muslims, even among tribes and tea tribes."
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"The problem is present where people are uneducated," the MLA added.
He also raised concerns about the future of families affected by the arrests, particularly those where the husband had been jailed, leaving the wife and children without support.
"What CM is doing is wrong. If someone was married 10 years ago, for whatever reason, if now they have kids who go to school and if the husband is put to jail, who will now take care of the family? We need to stop child marriage from happening now and for that, we need to spread awareness," added Rafiqul Islam.
