“Child marriage crackdown in Assam: Eight arrested in Karimganj including groom Bilal and Kazi”, Organiser, May 22, 2024:
“The Karimganj police in Assam have intensified their efforts to combat child marriage in the district, resulting in the arrest of eight individuals, including the groom and the Kazi. The arrests were made on May 21 during a raid in Kabariband village, Patharkandi constituency.
Despite stringent warnings from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against social evils like child marriage, this unlawful practice continues to persist. The CM has repeatedly emphasised the importance of eradicating child marriage in Assam, reinforcing that it is a punishable offence under state legislation. However, the recent incident highlights ongoing defiance, particularly within certain communities.
In this case, the offender, Bilal Uddin, was set to marry an underage girl from a nearby village, just five kilometres away. Despite knowing the legal implications, both families decided to proceed with the marriage, which was conducted in the presence of a Kazi……”
Read the full article at Organiser.org