New Delhi: While hearing a matter on counseling and aid provided to victims of child sexual abuse, the Supreme Court on Monday expressed concern over the incident where 34 schoolgirls in Bihar's Supaul district were attacked. 

"How could you treat children like this?," the court said.

Nine boys from a nearby village have been arrested for beating up more than 30 girl students in a government school in Supaul district for resisting their sexual advances.

The victims were admitted to the local primary health centre.

"The boys often used to write obscene words on walls. We stopped them from doing that and they thrashed us. There were some women with them who beat us up too and manhandled our teachers," said two of the injured students, according to ANI.

JD(U) leader Prashant Kishor said that he joins his voice with all those who are appalled and criticises the state for failing to protect the “most vulnerable of its people”.