Guwahati, Feb 20: To curb child marriages in Assam, the state government has started Bal Panchayats, village-level meetings, to create awareness among the people about the negative impact of child marriages.

The state government has started a massive crackdown against child marriages in Assam. So far, over 3000 people have been arrested in relation to child marriages, since February 3.

Talking to reporters, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the initiative was officially launched in Cachar district where 10 child marriage pockets have been identified.

Sarma said Bal Panchayats are additional support from the administration’s part to the ongoing police crackdown on child marriages in the state.

CM Sarma said the crackdown against child marriages will continue in Assam.

Sarma said, “We are supplementing efforts of Assam Police with decisive and strategic interventions by DCs. All have been advised to identify vulnerable pockets, which is followed by holding of Bal Panchayat to sensitise and (make people) aware. This is yielding good results.”

The police have registered 4,235 cases so far and 6,707 accused have been identified. Out of the 3,047 arrested persons, 93 are female and 2,954 are male.