Crimes against children in Nagaland rise in 2024; POCSO cases dominate

Nagaland recorded a sharp rise in crimes against children in 2024, according to the latest Crime in India 2024 report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). A total of 52 cases were registered in the state during 2024, double the 26 cases recorded in 2023 and higher than the 35 cases reported in 2022. The overall rate of crimes against children in the state stood at 6.3 in 2024, compared to 3.2 in 2023 and 4.3 in 2022. Most of the offences registered during the year were related to sexual crimes against children, particularly under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Nagaland registered 18 incidents in 2024 involving 19 victims under the POCSO Act. The POCSO crime rate stood at 2.2 in 2024, marginally higher than 2.0 in 2023 but lower than 3.2 recorded in 2022. Apart from POCSO cases, the state also recorded five cases of rape of children, 12 cases of assault on children with intent to outrage modesty, and four cases of sexual harassment of girls. Other offences included two cases of kidnapping and abduction of children, one case of kidnapping with intent to steal from a child, and one case involving hurt or grievous hurt. At least 40 offences registered in 2024 were sexual in nature, including POCSO cases and related offences under IPC/BNS provisions. As of May 27, 2026, a total of 47 POCSO cases were pending and 59 cases had been disposed of across various Special POCSO courts in Nagaland. In the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench, four POCSO cases were disposed off, while no case remained pending. The chargesheeting rate in crimes against children cases in 2024 stood at 87.2%, indicating that chargesheets were filed in most registered cases.