Congress general secretary and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja on Saturday expressed serious concern over the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, saying Haryana has recorded the highest rate of crimes against children among all states.
The report stated that the rate of total crimes against children in Haryana stood at 82.8 per lakh child population in 2024, calculated on the basis of the 2011 Census population data.
Terming the situation alarming and deeply unfortunate, Selja said the NCRB figures show a sharp rise in crimes against children, with 7,547 cases reported in 2024 — nearly 18 per cent higher than the 6,401 cases recorded in 2023.
She said the cases include serious offences such as kidnapping, sexual abuse, violence and murder, reflecting growing risks faced by children in the state. The Congress leader alleged that the data pointed not only to a failure of law and order but also to increasing social insensitivity towards vulnerable sections of society.
Selja added that crimes against women, including dowry deaths, domestic violence and harassment, were already a matter of concern, and the increase in crimes against children has further raised questions about the functioning and policies of the state government. She said ensuring the safety of women and children is the primary responsibility of any civilised society.
“If daughters and children are not safe, claims of development and progress lose their meaning,” she said. Selja said NCRB data showed 54 cases of child murder in Haryana in 2024, including six incidents involving rape and murder. The state also recorded 2,725 kidnapping and abduction cases involving 2,805 victims, including 530 missing children.
She urged the state government to launch special protection campaigns, strictly enforce existing laws and introduce awareness programmes in schools as well as rural areas.
The former Union minister emphasised that society also has a responsibility, saying families, schools and social organisations must work together to create a safe and sensitive environment for children.
She said police action alone cannot solve the problem and stressed the need for social awareness and moral education to prevent crimes. Selja further demanded that both the Centre and the state governments strengthen special courts and monitoring systems to ensure speedy justice in cases related to women and child safety, so that victims receive timely justice and criminals are deterred.
Also read: Rahul attacks BJP over ‘vote theft’ claim
Follow us
