GUWAHATI: Two people were arrested by the police in Barpeta District of Assam over a case of alleged child marriage this Thursday, August 11.
Reportedly, a minor was about to get married to a youth in Baghmara Char area in Barpeta District. The police raided the venue where the marriage was supposed to be conducted on Thursday and arrested the bridegroom and his father. The accused were booked under sections of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
The accused have been identified as Saibur Badshah (bridegroom) and Hussain Ali, the father. The Barpeta Police said that they raided the place after receiving a complaint from the Village Defence Party (VDP).
“We were informed by VDP about a child marriage being planned and based on that information, we immediately raided the area and rescued the minor girl and apprehended the bridegroom and his father. We have produced them before the court and sent them to jail. A case has been registered in connection with it,” said a Police Officer while talking to G Plus.
Cases of child marriage in Assam are on the rise despite the strict measures taken by the government and the police administration.
According to the State's Social Welfare Department, in Assam 3,192 child marriages were recorded from 2016-17 to 2020-21. As per the data, 74 child marriages were performed during 2016-17 followed by 448 during 2017-18 and 759 during 2018-19.
“The child marriage figure jumped to 1,089 during 2019-20! Making it a serious concern for us.” further added the official.
