THE JOY of being pregnant with her first child lasted just a few hours for Menaka Doley Patir (name changed), a 17-year-old resident of a remote village (all the village names in the article have been withheld to protect identities) in Assam's Dhemaji district. The news of her pregnancy came after the state government launched a crackdown on child marriage on January 23, 2023, using the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA) along with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012 (POCso). In just a month, the Assam police had arrested over 3,000 people, mostly husbands and male family members of underage brides, from across the state. Menaka is a year younger than the official marriageable age of 18 years. If caught, her husband would face imminent arrest and imprisonment of up to 20 years under POCSO for committing sexual assault. Her family has taken the painful decision to undergo an abortion.
They are too terrified to go ahead with the pregnancy, as they know they will not be able to hide Menaka's age. As part of the crackdown, the government has directed hospitals and local health workers to record age-related details for each pregnancy and childbirth. Officials are using the document to identify underage marriages.
Fear grips the state as the crackdown widens. Families are sending underage brides to their parents' homes or to other places to give the raiding officials a slip. Many expectant mothers are opting for home deliveries to evade the authorities. Underage mothers have also stopped taking their children to hospitals over fears of getting identified. Pranita Phukan (name changed) from another village in Dhemaji district waited for four long days before taking her ailing infant to the nearby healthcare centre. By then, the infant had become so weak that he had to be referred to the district civil hospital.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Trade On Emissions
EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a tariff on imports, is designed to protect European industries in the guise of climate action.
'The project will facilitate physical and cultural decimation of indigenous people'
The Great Nicobar Project has all the hallmarks of a disaster-seismic, ecological, human. Why did it get the go-ahead?
TASTE IT RED
Popularity of Karnataka's red jackfruit shows how biodiversity can be conserved by ensuring that communities benefit from it
MANY MYTHS OF CHIPKO
Misconceptions about the Chipko movement have overshadowed its true objectives.
The politics and economics of mpox
Africa's mpox epidemic stems from delayed responses, neglect of its health risks and the stark vaccine apartheid
Emerging risks
Even as the world gets set to eliminate substances threatening the ozone layer, climate change and space advancement pose new challenges.
JOINING THE CARBON CLUB
India's carbon market will soon be a reality, but will it fulfil its aim of reducing emissions? A report by PARTH KUMAR and MANAS AGRAWAL
Turn a new leaf
Scientists join hands to predict climate future of India's tropical forests
Festering troubles
The Democratic Republic of Congo struggles to contain mpox amid vaccine delays, conflict and fragile healthcare.
India sees unusual monsoon patterns
THE 2024 southwest monsoon has, between June 1 and September 1, led to excess rainfall in western and southern states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, while others like Nagaland, Manipur and Punjab recorded a deficit.