'Why take only the men': Women protest against arrests as Assam cracks down on child marriage

 Himanta Biswa Sarma said he has directed the police to act with a ''spirit of zero tolerance." (Photo: PTI)

By India Today Web Desk: Women have come out in large numbers to protest against the arrest of their husbands and sons as the Assam government launched a massive crackdown on child marriages.

The state-wide crackdown announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma began on Friday and will continue for the next six days.

“Why take only the men? How will we and or our children survive? We have no means of income,” a 55-year-old Niroda Doley of Majuli district told PTI.

A woman from Barpeta district, who did not wish to be named, said her son had eloped with a minor girl. "He made a mistake, but why arrest my husband?” she asked.

Monowara Khatoon of Morigaon said, “My daughter-in-law was 17 when she got married. Now she is 19 and five months pregnant. Who will look after her?''

READ | Thousands will be arrested in crackdown on child marriage, says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Over 2,000 people have been arrested and 4,004 cases have been registered so far. The police said they have a list of 8,000 accused and the drive will continue. The police have arrested 51 purohits and kazis who conducted such wedding rituals in religious institutions.

Till Friday evening, the highest number of 137 arrests have been made in Biswanath district, followed by 126 in Dhubri, 120 in Baksa, 114 in Barpeta and 96 in Kokrajhar.

The state cabinet recently decided that those having married girls below 14 years of age will be booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, and cases under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 will be registered against those who have married girls in the 14-18 years age group.

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said he has directed the police to act with a ''spirit of zero tolerance against the unpardonable and heinous crime on women''.

Assam has a high rate of maternal and infant mortality, with child marriage being the primary cause as an average of 31 per cent of marriages registered in the state are in the prohibited age.

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House in J&K’s Doda collapses after developing cracks, more buildings report Joshimath-like fissures

As many as 19 families, whose houses had developed cracks, have relocated. (Photo: ANI)

By Sunil Bhat: One of the houses in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda that had developed Joshimath-like cracks has collapsed and several other buildings reported new fissures. A total of 21 structures, including 19 residences, a mosque and one religious educational institution at Nai Basti village in the Thathri area, have developed cracks so far.

As many as 19 families, whose houses had developed cracks, have relocated. Most of them are staying at their relatives' houses.

    J&K | Cracks were reported in a house in December in Doda district. Till yesterday, 6 buildings had cracks, but now these cracks have started to increase. This area is gradually sinking. The government is trying to find a solution as soon as possible: Athar Amin Zargar, DM Doda pic.twitter.com/ZmADASy4o6 — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2023

Doda administration officials and a team from the Geological Survey of India are monitoring the situation at the spot. SDM Athar Amin Zargar said, "21 structures were affected yesterday. Zone of influence is limited to the same, as observed today morning."

    J&K | Doda administration and a team from the Geological Survey of India present at the spot in Doda where 21 structures reported subsidence.

    SDM Athar Amin Zargar says, "21 structures were affected yesterday. Zone of influence is limited to the same, as observed today morning." pic.twitter.com/3f6Rskz0GO — ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2023

A few structures in the village started developing cracks a couple of days ago but the situation was exacerbated by a landslide on Thursday with the number of buildings damaged reaching 21.

"We have shifted 19 affected families to a safer location after their houses were rendered unsafe. We are observing the situation and taking steps as per need to ensure their safety," Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Thathri) Athar Amin Zargar told PTI.

ALSO READ | Uncontrolled construction brought Joshimath on brink of sinking, say experts

The deputy commissioner and the senior superintendent of police visited the spot and assured all help to the affected families, he said.

Zargar, however, refused to compare the situation to that in Uttarakhand's Joshimath -- the gateway to famous pilgrimage sites like Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib -- that is facing a major challenge due to land subsidence.

"Comparing the situation in Nai Basti with the sinking town of Joshimath will be an exaggeration. We are faced with a problem of landslide and geologists from Chenab Valley power projects and National Highways Authority of India have already inspected the site," Zargar said.

While some families have shifted to a temporary shelter set up by the district administration, many others have returned to their ancestral homes.

"We are making all necessary arrangements, including food and electricity, at the campsite," Zargar said.

ALSO WATCH | After Joshimath, now 7 houses in J&K's Doda district develop cracks

Zahida Begum, whose family was shifted to a temporary site, said they lived in the village for 15 years and were surprised to notice cracks in concrete houses.

"There is panic among 50-plus households in the village. Majority of the structures developed cracks after Thursday's landslide," she said, demanding proper rehabilitation for the affected families.

Farooq Ahmad, another local resident, said 117 members of 19 families of policemen, ex-servicemen, defence personnel and labourers were relocated.

Nai Basti was developed about two decades ago and there was no such problem, he said.

"We request the NGOs and philanthropists to come forward and provide assistance to the affected people," Ahmad added.

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