Assam LoP Backs Govt's Hardline Stance on Child Marriage
Leader of Opposition Wazed Ali Choudhary supports Assam government's child marriage crackdown as 524 people are arrested statewide.
In a rare moment of political convergence, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly, Wazed Ali Choudhary, has voiced his full support for the state government's aggressive Assam child marriage crackdown. Choudhary asserted that arresting those involved in the illegal practice is the correct course of action, emphasizing that child marriage is an unacceptable social evil.
Bipartisan Support Against Child Marriage
Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Wazed Ali Choudhary made it clear that there is no room for compromise when it comes to the protection of children. He stated that the steps taken by the government are correct and that anyone engaging in such practices deserves to face legal consequences.
Beyond political support, Choudhary highlighted that efforts to eradicate this practice are also being pursued through civil society. He mentioned that various NGOs are working tirelessly within the community to raise awareness and prevent child marriages from occurring.
“We certainly cannot support child marriage. If someone has engaged in child marriage, then arresting them is the right course of action. Through our NGOs, we are making significant efforts within our society to prevent child marriage,” Choudhary remarked.
Mass Arrests and Legal Action
The opposition's support comes amid a sweeping operation led by the state administration. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has reiterated that no one involved in the practice of child marriage will be spared.
Providing a status update via a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Chief Minister revealed the scale of the operation. As of 5:00 PM on Wednesday, the crackdown has resulted in:
- 524 arrests of individuals identified as culprits.
- 441 cases registered across the state.
Dhubri Emerges as Epicenter of Crackdown
While the operation is statewide, the Dhubri district has emerged as a primary focus of the police drive. Following direct orders from the Chief Minister, authorities in Dhubri have carried out a significant number of detentions.
In Dhubri alone, 63 people have been detained across nine different police stations. The crackdown is not just targeting the immediate parties involved but also extends to parents and guardians who facilitated the illegal unions.
Breakdown of Detentions in Dhubri District:
- Dhubri Sadar: 18 people
- Golakganj: 15 people
- Bilasipara: 9 people
- Gauripur: 8 people
- Chapar: 5 people
- Fakirganj: 5 people
- Tamarhat: 2 people
- Agomoni: 1 person
This renewed push signifies a zero-tolerance approach by the Assam government to eliminate child marriage from the state's social fabric, backed by both law enforcement and political leadership across the aisle.