Guwahati, July 18, 2024 — Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that his government will continue its rigorous crackdown on child marriages, with a special drive scheduled every six months. The directive follows a positive report from an NGO indicating a decline in child marriage cases due to the state’s efforts.
Sarma revealed that the Director General of Police (DGP) has been instructed to conduct a preliminary survey in preparation for the next round of action against child marriages, slated for November-December this year.
“Our campaign and tough action against child marriage will persist,” Sarma stated in a video message. He acknowledged initial resistance to the crackdown but noted a shift in public sentiment, even in minority areas, where communities are now actively preventing child marriages.
The Chief Minister referred to data from the India Child Protection (ICP) report, which highlights significant progress. According to the report, derived from National Crime Record Bureau data and a survey of 1,132 villages in 20 districts, 30 percent of these areas have completely eradicated child marriage, and 40 percent have seen a significant decline. The survey encompassed villages with a combined population of 21 lakh, including eight lakh children.
The report, titled “Towards Justice: Ending Child Marriage,” was released on World Day for International Justice. It details an 81 percent reduction in child marriage instances across 20 districts of Assam between 2021-22 and 2023-24, attributing the decline to the state government’s legal and awareness initiatives.
Sarma shared on X (formerly Twitter), “This exceptional report by @IndiaCPOrg is a testament to our sustained efforts in empowering Nari Shakti. With over 3,000 arrests, our zero-tolerance approach has led to an 81 percent decline in child marriages since 2021. We will not rest until we eliminate this social evil.”
The intensified crackdown against child marriages began in February 2022, encompassing legal measures and awareness campaigns. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo emphasized the importance of prosecution in ending this crime, citing Assam’s model as exemplary for the rest of the country.
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