Guwahati, Feb 5: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Saturday slammed Assam government over its crackdown against child marriages.

“It is a PR exercise for the Chief Minister under whose tenure – cases of mafia, crimes against women and elderly, drugs and kidnappings have increased. Police are reprimanded by High Courts for failing their investigation especially in the Arnamai Bora murder case,” Gaurav Gogoi tweeted.

Calling it a “farce”, Gogoi said, “It seems the police are instructed to investigate cases that are decades old without proper enquiry or adherence to procedure. It’s a farce.”

The Assam government has started a massive crackdown against child marriage and so far over 2258 people have been arrested in connection with this social menace. Police said they have a list of 8,000 accused and as the drive continues, the figures will increase.

The drive was launched on Thursday night after CM Himanta Biswa Sarma chaired a video-conference meeting with senior officials of the police department, directing them to launch a crackdown to rid the state of the evil practice of child marriage.

Speaking to reporters, Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The crackdown against child marriage will continue till next assembly polls in the state. Those who were involved in the child marriage strict action will be taken against them.”