Assam: Crackdown on child marriage intensifies, 17 fake 'qazis' arrested in Hailakandi

As part of the ongoing crackdown against child marriage, at least 17 fake qazis were apprehended in Assam’s Hailakandi district on September 13.

As per reports, all the accused were apprehended from various locations in the district on suspicion of their involvement in child marriages.

The apprehended qazis have been identified as Aziruddin Laskar, Mufti Abul Hussain, Asadullah Laskar, Kaisur Ahmed, Abdul Jalal Laskar, Sarifuddin Barbhuiya, Farizuddin Laskar, Saidul Haque, Nurul Haque Laskar, and Abdul Salam Barbhuiya.

It is learned that the police have seized ten 'kabul namas' from their possessions. They are currently being questioned by the police.

Also Read: Assam will witness big arrests during September in child marriage cases, says CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

It may be mentioned that earlier this month, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced massive crackdowns against child marriage starting September 1, 2023.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that by December 2023 the state will witness the end of polygamy.

While interacting with the media in Silchar, CM Sarma said, "The draft is under preparation and by December Assam will see the end of polygamy and another round of arrest the state will see after September 15 on child marriages."

Further, the chief minister claimed that the state is not following the UCC as of now, however, the state is only after polygamy and child marriage.

The Assam government is likely to introduce a bill in the state assembly in December to ban polygamy as chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced it will be finalised in the next 45 days.