'Other than this, there have been umpteen number of cases regarding foeticide, child marriage and crimes against street children that have been reported in the state,' said Bhargava.

In Madhya Pradesh, three children on an average come on the streets every day, taking the number of such children to 1,000 in a year. And most of the crime cases are reported against these children, a recent survey done by Bachpan pointed out.

'The government should take decisive steps to protect these children and priority should be given to identify and overcome the very reasons which make these children run away from their homes,' Bhargava said.

While Madhya Pradesh recorded 4,290 cases of crime against children, Maharashtra recorded 2,707, and Uttar Pradesh 2,248. The states which recorded lowest number of cases of crime against children were Jammu and Kashmir (26), Arunachal Pradesh (40) and Nagaland (70).