Friday, January 28 2005 15:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Terming the crime against children as ''a crime against the nation'', Bihar Governor Buta Singh told a delegation of students that he had directed the State authorities to take effective steps for recovery of the kidnapped children.

A press release issued by Raj Bhavan quoting Governor as having told the delegation that the kidnapping of children was ''a heinous crime'' was issued after hundreds of students braving inclement weather met him.

''Children are the future of the nation and the perpetrators of crime against children are committing a crime against the nation,'' Singh said adding that the perpetrators of such crime should be sternly dealt with.

He informed the delegation of students and office bearers of different children welfare associations that he had already directed the authorities to take all-possible steps to get the students freed from the clutches of kidnappers.

Hundreds of thoroughly drenched school children demonstrated in front of Raj Bhavan in Patna seeking Governor's intervention for the release of three fellow pupils who were recently kidnapped from different parts of Bihar.