Northeast India’s Only English and Hindi Satellite News Channel

Assam Police rescues 16-year-old girl from getting married to 29-year-old man

First Published: 27th January, 2023 18:44 IST

The police have arrested the groom, identified as Sanwar Hussain, the Qazi, and the groom’s uncle

Within barely three days of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s cabinet announcing stringent measures, and a major crackdown on incidents of child marriage, a team of Assam police rescued a 16-year-old minor girl from child marriage in the Kurbaha area of Assam’s Barpeta district on Thursday and arrested the 29-year-old groom.

The groom, identified as Sanwar Hussain, the Qazi, and the groom’s uncle was produced in the court today. The girl’s father, however, managed to escape.

It is on January 23, the Assam cabinet had announced that men who marry girls younger than 14 years would be booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.

“Men marrying girls in the age group of 14–18 will be booked under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and necessary steps will be taken against them under this law,” Chief Minister Sarma said.

The Assam Chief Minister also informed that the Assam Police has been ordered to launch a massive crackdown on child marriage in the next 15 days.

Himanta Biswa Sarma maintained that the operation would not target any particular community. The Assam government had decided to go all out after incidents of child marriage as the percentage of child marriage cases stood at 31%, much higher than the national average of 26.8% as per the NFHS-5.

Also Read: Assam govt’s big crackdown on Child Marriage: Those found guilty to be booked under POCSO act, to face life time imprisonment

COMMENTS

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WE RECOMMEND

Banner
Brother of BSF Jawan Deepak Chingakham Who Died in Cross-Border Firing by Pakistan in Jammu Appointed ASI in Manipur Police on Compassionate Grounds

In a significant gesture honouring supreme sacrifice and national service, the Governor-in-Council of Manipur today approved the appointment of Chingakham Naoba Singh as Assistant Sub-Inspector (Civil Police) under the State Home Department on compassionate grounds. Naoba Singh is the younger brother of Late Constable (CT) Deepak Chingakham, a brave BSF jawan from Yairipok Yambem Mathak […]

11th July 2025
Banner
Maikhuli Villagers Protest MoU Over Assam-Meghalaya Border, Demand Return of Fishery

At the heart of the protest lies the contentious inclusion of the village's long-maintained fishery within Assam’s territory under the MoU.

11th July 2025
Banner
Chhangur Baba Received Rs 500 Crore in Foreign Funds for Illegal Conversions: Anti-Terror Squad

Chhangur Baba Received Rs 500 Crore in Foreign Funds for Illegal Conversions: Anti-Terror Squad

11th July 2025
Banner
Taiwan Detects 9 Chinese Warships, 1 Aircraft Breaching ADIZ Amid Rising Tensions

Taiwan Detects 9 Chinese Warships, 1 Aircraft Breaching ADIZ Amid Rising Tensions

11th July 2025
Banner
Are Manipur’s Internally Displaced Persons Happy With Govt’s Relocation Plans?

Are Manipur’s Internally Displaced Persons Happy With Govt’s Relocation Plans?

11th July 2025