Guwahati, Dec 22: Assam Police today said the crackdown against child marriage in the state has resulted in a positive impact, with maternal and infant mortality rates showing a marked decline as a result of these sustained campaigns.
A senior police official today said three statewide special drives have been conducted to date against child marriage. A total of 4769 people have been arrested, and 5414 cases are registered.
On the night of December 21-22, 416 individuals were arrested, and 335 cases were filed.
“The arrests till now included accused husbands, family members, and Kazis who facilitated underage marriages. The police have achieved a remarkable 95.2% charge-sheeting rate in the cases, reflecting strong legal follow-through, ” the official said.
Significant Health Improvements
The crackdown on child marriage has contributed to substantial reductions in maternal and child deaths, highlighting the campaign’s far-reaching impact. According to official data
maternal deaths have decreased from 984 in FY 2020-21 to 372 in FY 2023-24 while child deaths fell from 9,472 in FY 2020-21 to 4,790 in FY 2023-24.
Officials say these figures underscore the critical link between addressing child marriage and improving public health outcomes, as underage mothers are at higher risk of complications and their children more vulnerable to early mortality.
