GUWAHATI: Assam government claimed today that the state government would end child marriages in the state by 2026.
The state Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while delivering his speech in the assembly today said that by 2026, child marriages will end in Assam. He claimed that the strictest possible measures will be taken by the government to ensure that child marriages end in the state.
The Assam government has earmarked ₹200 crore in this year’s budget for the campaign against child marriages to enlist the services of good lawyers, create awareness and set up helplines for victims.
The government began a crackdown on child marriage in February this year in which thousands were arrested while cases were registered against thousands more.
While speaking during the budget session, he said that out of 4,363 cases of child marriage since February 3, over one thousand people are still in custody.
He said that till now in this drive against child marriage, 90% of the cases will be convicted under POCSO Act.
“We have arrested many persons in connection with child marriage and so far, many of them have been convicted. We will work for conviction because our government is serious about this social evil and by 2026, child marriage will be completely stopped in Assam," said Sarma.
Sarma said that a helpline number will be introduced where a victim of child marriage or those who are forcefully married by their parents can complain.
He further said that the state will work for the rehabilitation of the victims by providing scholarships, free education, and all other benefits of government schemes. “We have a detailed plan in place to see that child marriages end within the set deadline,” CM Sarma said.
On the question of how provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act could be imposed against those accused of child marriages, Sarma said that the law is applicable even against the “husbands” of girls who are below 16 years of age.
