CM Sarma stated that the average percentage of marriages in the "prohibited age" in the state is 31%...
Digital Desk: The Assam Cabinet decided on Monday to book men who marry girls below the age of 14 in the state under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Notably, infant and maternal deaths are both high in Assam, and child marriage is the main contributing factor. At a news conference after the Cabinet meeting, CM Sarma stated that the average percentage of marriages in the "prohibited age" in the state is 31%.
"Men marrying girls between the ages of 14-18 will be punished under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and relevant steps will be taken against them," CM Sarma said.
He added that the police have been directed to begin a statewide crackdown against child marriage.
Every village would have a Child Protection Officer, and the Gram Panchayat Secretary will be responsible for filing a complaint against any child marriages that occur in their jurisdiction, Sarma said.
