Patna: Crimes against children had increased in Bihar by 105 per cent in 2016 against 2015, according to National Crime Records Bureau data, experts shared at a state consultation meeting in Patna on Wednesday.

The Bihar State Legal Services Authority, Bihar chapter of NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan and the National Legal Services Authority held the consultation meeting.

"According to NCRB, crimes against children in Bihar increased by 105 per cent in 2016 as compared to 2015, with 73 per cent of the cases registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, 2012," said Sampurna Behura, programme director of Bachpan Bachao Andolan. "The conviction rate in crimes against children stands at 24 per cent, lower than the national average of 31 per cent. Ninety six per cent cases are pending for slow disposal in courts."

State convener of the NGO Mokhtarul Haque said: "The main objective of the meeting was to bring various stakeholders on board and discuss child-related issues in Bihar to address challenges for child protection and care."

Nisha Jha, former director of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and former child labour commission chairperson Anita Singh were present at the discourse.

"Justice for juvenile delinquents is the lowest priority in the country as a whole. Many states, including Bihar, did not form special juvenile police cells, child welfare committees at district levels and special homes for juvenile delinquents mandated by the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015, because of lack of collaborative mechanisms. We need to link legal provisions, budget allocations, various schemes, enforcement agencies and NGOs to ensure child welfare," said Behura.