Women came out in large numbers on Saturday to protest against the arrest of their husbands and sons as the Assam government launched a massive crackdown on child marriages. Tension prevailed in Dhubri district after police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the women who had gathered in front of the Tamarha Police Station. They were demanding the release of their family members. The state-wide crackdown announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma began on Friday and will continue for the next six days. So far, 2,257 people have been arrested.
“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?”
