A 'love pact', Rs 2 lakh clause and alleged child marriage in Assam's Nagaon

A dispute over an alleged agreement concerning two minors has stirred tensions in Bargaon village in Nagaon’s Samaguri area of Assam after the girl involved was reportedly married off elsewhere.

A minor boy and girl from the village were allegedly in a relationship and had expressed their intention to start a life together after reaching marriageable age. After their families learnt about the relationship, the matter was taken up before villagers.

A public meeting was subsequently held, where an agreement was reportedly drawn up between the two families. According to the agreement, the couple would marry after attaining the legal age for marriage.

The alleged agreement also carried a financial condition. If the girl’s family arranged her marriage with another person, they would have to pay Rs 2 lakh to the boy’s family. Similarly, the boy’s family would be required to pay Rs 2 lakh to the girl’s family if they arranged his marriage with someone else.

The situation escalated after reports emerged that the minor girl had allegedly been married off in Kachua. The development reportedly triggered tension at the home of the boy’s family.

The boy’s father has since lodged an FIR with the Nagaon Superintendent of Police and the local police station, alleging that the girl was married before she turned 17.

The complaint comes amid the Assam government’s continuing crackdown on child marriage.

The boy is reportedly distressed following the alleged marriage, with his family claiming that he has been inconsolable since learning about it.

The allegations are yet to be independently verified, and further details of the alleged marriage and the agreement are awaited.