Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma backs UN stance against child marriage

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stated that the United Nations’ declaration of November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage reinforces the state’s stance against the practice. Sarma asserted that child or forced marriage has no place in society and called for continued stringent action.

According to the Chief Minister, the state’s crackdown has led to more than 12,000 registered cases and over 11,000 arrests. He reported that child marriages have declined by 81 per cent across 20 districts, which has been accompanied by a reduction in teenage pregnancies and an increase in female enrollment in higher education. The state government plans to launch an “unapologetic campaign” in November to further combat the issue and bring perpetrators to justice.