Silchar, Feb 3 : As promised earlier, the Assam government on Friday launched a massive drive against the menace of child marriage in the state, arresting more than 2000 people in 24 hours. Around 230 people have been arrested in the three districts of Barak Valley in this regard on Thursday.
Informing about the arrests, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday morning tweeted, “I have asked police to act with a spirit of zero tolerance against the unpardonable and heinous crime on women.”
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that “So far @assampolice has registered 4,004 cases across the state and more police action is likely in days ahead. Action on the cases will begin starting February 3. I request all to cooperate,” CM tweeted.
Cachar SP Numal Mahatta mentioned that 51 cases have been registered here in the Cachar district in which 72 persons have been arrested. “This is a very bold step taken by our hon’ble chief minister. Based on the directions of him and our hon’ble DGP, we launched a massive drive and arrested 72 persons” he said.
Similarly, 79 persons have been arrested in Karimganj acting on 92 cases that were registered in the district. “For the last two days, we worked on different sources and prepared a list of accused people. Prime accused are generally the husbands and the remaining are from the family members. We will continue to investigate and arrest all who are associated with this crime” Karimganj SP Padmanabha Barua said to the media persons.
In Hailakandi district, 99 cases have been registered in which 77 persons have been arrested under the prohibition of the Child marriage act. “Arrestees comprise of victim’s husband and family members. They have been forwarded to court for further proceeding” Hailakandi Add. SP Bidyut Das Boro said mentioning that the drive would continue for the next few days until all the accused are put behind the bars.
The state Cabinet headed by Sarma on January 23 decided to launch a Karnataka-like “massive crackdown” against child marriage, a major reason of high maternal mortality and infant mortality rate in Assam.