1. Child marriage in Assam’s Karimganj
2. Conducting child marriage in Karimganj, Assam.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : Silchar: The Assam police have made a significant arrest in Karimganj, where a Kazi (marriage registrar) and seven others were apprehended for their alleged involvement in conducting a child marriage. The incident came to light when the police received information about a marriage ceremony taking place at Kabariband village under Patharkandi police station on Monday evening. Prompt action was taken, leading to the arrest of the individuals responsible.
Patharkandi police station officer in charge, Dipak Das, confirmed that by the time they reached the location, the marriage had already been solemnized. However, the police acted swiftly to detain the culprits and ensure the safety of the minor girl involved. The groom, believed to be around 18 years old, claimed to have been in a relationship with the underage girl for an extended period, with the consent of both families.
Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the minor girl, a Class nine student, was only 17 years old based on her birth certificate. Despite her age, she appeared much younger, raising concerns about the legality and ethics of the marriage. Subsequently, the groom, identified as Bilal Uddin, his father Zahraul Islam, the girl’s father Shabbir Uddin, the Kazi, and several other family members were arrested.
A case has been registered against all eight individuals under various sections of the Prohibition of Child Marriage (PCMA) Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act at Patharkandi police station. Following their court appearance, the accused have been remanded to judicial custody, while the minor girl has been placed in a shelter home for her protection and to record her statement.
In a concerted effort to combat the prevalence of child marriages in Assam, the state government initiated a two-phase crackdown last year. The first phase in February saw the arrest of 3,483 individuals and the registration of 4,515 cases, followed by a second phase in October resulting in 915 arrests and 710 cases. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating child marriage from Assam by 2026, pledging to sustain the enforcement efforts until this goal is achieved..
child marriage, Assam Karimganj.
