New Delhi: The Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is plagued by a curious problem, that of increasing incidence of polygamy by men arriving from the mainland.

During a recent visit of the National Commission of Women (NCW) to the Andamans, polygamy by men coming from the mainland was one of the main issues raised by local NGOs.

The NGOs complained to the visiting NCW team that a number of women have been abandoned by such men and in many a case, the relationship had borne children.

But no action could be initiated against the men because of lack of proof.

Taking note of the problem, the NCW has recommended that registration of marriages should be made compulsory to curtail polygamy and also enable the administration to maintain data on the antecedents of men coming to the Islands to trace them in case of desertion.

"As the administration does not have legislative powers, till the enactment of a fresh law making registration of marriage compulsory or the amendment of the existing act the problem of polygamy should be adequately publicised," states the report on the visit by the team led by NCW chairperson Poornima Advani on August 19-20.