524 arrested, 441 cases registered: Assam CM on child marriage crackdown - Tripuratimes

During a press briefing, the Assam chief minister highlighted the scale of the recent enforcement drive against child marriage, noting that more than five hundred arrests were made across districts and that legal proceedings have been initiated in four hundred and forty‑one cases. The operation was carried out by a joint task force that included police, child welfare officers and representatives of the state legal services authority. Officials said the raids targeted families and community leaders who were arranging marriages for girls under the legal age of eighteen, often in remote villages where traditional practices persist.

Child marriage remains a challenge in several parts of India, despite the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act of 2006, which criminalises the practice and mandates penalties for those who facilitate it. In Assam, the practice has been linked to poverty, low levels of education and entrenched social norms that view early marriage as a protective measure for girls. The crackdown aligns with national efforts to meet Sustainable Development Goal targets that call for the elimination of child marriage by 2030. By pursuing legal action against perpetrators, the state hopes to send a clear message that the practice will not be tolerated.

The government announced plans to complement enforcement with awareness campaigns, school‑based education programs and financial incentives for families that keep their daughters in school. Officials also mentioned the creation of a dedicated helpline for reporting suspected child marriages. While the immediate impact of the arrests is expected to deter future arrangements, authorities acknowledge that sustained community engagement will be essential to change long‑standing attitudes. The next phase will focus on monitoring compliance and providing support services to affected girls, ensuring they have access to education and health care.