HT Correspondent
NAGAON, Feb 2: The state police will launch a state-wide manhunt against thousands allegedly involved in marriage with minor girls from Friday and it will continue for a week.
This was informed by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma here on Thursday.
Sarma arrived here at the site of Mahkhuli based Nagaon Medical College and Hospital early on Thursday morning and reviewed the ongoing construction works of hospital building and other infrastructures.
Sarma said that during the drive, several married youths would be possibly arrested under the POCSO Act.
“Our government has initiated strict measures against child marriage across the state and the drive will cover not only those husbands, but also those who instigate or encourage them to get married with minors,” Sarma added further.
He said that those found guilty of marrying a child below 14 years of age will be tried under the POCSO Act.
Referring to the beginning of academic session of Nagaon Medical College and Hospital, he said that the state government left no stone unturned to start the academic session from this October and for that the department concerned as well as the state government have carried out all preparedness.
The state government is trying its best to start the academic session of medical courses in Nagaon, Nalbari and Kokrajhar Medical College and Hospitals respectively from October in the current year, Sarma said, adding that these new three medical colleges would facilitate medical education to more than 200 medical students across the state.
Chief minister Sarma indicated it too that the experts team from the national medical council would come to Nagaon, Nalbari and Kokrajhar Medical College and Hospital to review all the preparations within 10 to 45 days next.
During his visit to Nagaon Medical College and Hospital, chief minister Sarma was accompanied by state health minister Keshab Mahanta, BJP MLAs duo Rupak Sarma and Jitu Goswami and senior officials from the district administration as well as district police administration.
Our Guwahati bureau adds: Later, the chief minister visited Nalbari Medical College and Hospital at Nalbari along with health and family welfare minister Keshab Mahanta and PHE, etc., minister Jayanta Mallabaruah and took stock of different aspects including the treatment and academic facilities.
Director Medical Education Dr Anup Barman, principal Nalbari Medical College and Hospital Dr Jogesh Sharma and others were present at the medical college and hospital during the chief minister’s visit.
