Assam to relaunch drive against child marriage in September
The Hindu
The drive against child marriages in Assam would be relaunched in September, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The last such drive in February caused a commotion across the State after 4,235 complaints were registered and more than 3,000 people, including 93 women, were arrested for involvement in child marriage.
GUWAHATI The drive against child marriages in Assam would be relaunched in September, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
The last such drive in February caused a commotion across the State after 4,235 complaints were registered and more than 3,000 people, including 93 women, were arrested for involvement in child marriage.
On Thursday, Mr. Sarma said that he had instructed officials at the fourth conference of the Superintendents of Police on July 28 to start another drive and prepare specific operating procedures to deal with the child marriage accused up to August 31.
He also sought awareness among the vulnerable populations so that girls are not married off before they attain 18 years of age and get every opportunity to pursue their dreams in life.
The fresh push against child marriage followed the Chief Minister’s announcement on Independence Day that the State government was determined to come up with a piece of robust legislation for abolishing polygamy.
An expert committee headed by retired judge Rumi Phukan was assigned to go through all legal aspects for introducing a suitable piece of law against polygamy.
Although some tribal communities practice polygamy, the February drive was seen as targeted at the Bengali-origin Muslims.
While residents are worried over deaths due to diarrhoea in Vijayawada, officials still grapple to find the root cause. Contaminated drinking water supplied by VMC officials is the reason, insist people in the affected areas, but officials insist that efforts are on to identify the disease and that those with symptoms other than diarrhoea too are visiting the health camps.