Assam Government Renames Child Protection Officers to Child Marriage Prohibition Officers

In a decisive move to strengthen its efforts against child marriage, the Assam government has officially renamed all District Child Protection Officers (DCPOs) as Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) at the district level, with immediate effect. This change, outlined in a formal notification issued by Mukesh Chandra Sahu, Principal Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department, aims to streamline and intensify actions under the state’s campaign to eliminate child marriage.

According to the notification, the re-designation of officers aligns with the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA 2006), which empowers officials to undertake specific duties and responsibilities focused on preventing child marriages. In addition to their roles under the central law, the CMPOs will also assume responsibilities under Section 3 of the Assam Prohibition of Child Marriage Rules, 2015, thereby extending their authority and range of functions within the state’s legal framework.

The newly appointed CMPOs will be tasked with identifying, reporting, and preventing incidents of child marriage across all districts. They will be empowered to file First Information Reports (FIRs) under both the PCMA 2006 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, which was further strengthened by amendments in 2019. These provisions allow the officers to take legal action against perpetrators of child marriage and sexual offences against minors, making them key enforcers in the state’s child protection strategy.

Furthermore, the notification clarifies that the CMPOs will not work in isolation. They will function alongside Gram Panchayat Secretaries in general (non-Sixth Schedule) areas and with Lot Mandals—known as Patwaris in Dima Hasao—in Sixth Schedule areas, ensuring that the prohibition measures are uniformly applied across various administrative and demographic regions of Assam. Coordination between these officers will be crucial in creating a comprehensive enforcement network at the grassroots level.

The move comes in the wake of a major crackdown on child marriage undertaken by the Assam government in 2023. During this campaign, authorities arrested over 5,300 individuals and registered more than 5,800 cases related to child marriage. This large-scale operation signaled the government’s strong commitment to eradicating the practice, which continues to affect the lives and futures of thousands of young girls across the state.

By renaming and redefining the role of District Child Protection Officers as CMPOs, the Assam government has taken a concrete step toward institutionalizing its approach to combating child marriage. The newly defined roles emphasize accountability, legal authority, and coordination, all of which are essential in tackling a deeply rooted social issue. The integration of CMPOs with existing local administrative units further enhances their ability to intervene early, respond effectively, and build awareness among communities about the harmful impacts and legal consequences of child marriage.

Overall, this initiative is a part of Assam’s broader policy to ensure child welfare, protect minors from abuse and exploitation, and uphold the rights of children to education, health, and dignity. The renaming of DCPOs to CMPOs is not just a change in title, but a significant policy shift that reflects the state's evolving commitment to child rights and gender justice.