Following a massive protest in Badlapur, Maharashtra’s Thane district, over the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls, internet services were suspended, and most schools remained closed on Wednesday, officials reported.
The protest on Tuesday led to incidents of stone-pelting at the railway station and other parts of Badlapur, resulting in injuries to at least 17 city police personnel and around eight railway officers. Police have arrested 72 individuals in connection with the violence. To maintain law and order, additional police forces have been deployed, and the situation is gradually stabilizing.
Badlapur came to a virtual standstill on Tuesday as thousands of protesters blocked railway tracks and stormed the school where the alleged abuse occurred. The protesters vandalized the school building, prompting police to use force to disperse them and restore train movement.
DCP Sudhakar Pathare confirmed that internet services were suspended in response to the protest and subsequent violence, and will be restored after a situation review. Most schools in the town remained closed on Wednesday.
A senior police official reported that 17 police personnel were injured in the stone-pelting incident. Three FIRs have been filed against those involved in the violence, with charges including violation of prohibitory orders, unlawful assembly, assault, and damage to public property. So far, 40 people have been arrested, and efforts to identify other offenders using CCTV footage and news clippings are ongoing.
Commissioner of Government Railway Police Ravindra Shisve added that an FIR has been registered for the violence at the railway station, and 32 individuals have been arrested. Several railway police personnel were also injured in the clashes. The situation in Badlapur is now under control.
The alleged abuse, which occurred in the school’s toilet, led to the arrest of a school attendant on August 17. The school management has since suspended the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant. The state government has also suspended three police officials, including a senior inspector, for failing to properly investigate the case.
On Tuesday, angry parents and local residents, including many women, gathered outside the school and initiated a ‘rail roko’ protest, blocking train movement from 8:30 AM. The protesters later damaged school property, breaking gates, windows, and furniture. The school involved reportedly belongs to a close relative of a BJP leader from Badlapur.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) led by senior IPS officer Arti Singh to probe the case, while Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured that the case would be fast-tracked and those responsible would be held accountable.
Senior lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, appointed as the special public prosecutor in the case, criticized the police for their delay in lodging an FIR, emphasizing that such delays can result in the loss of crucial evidence. The issue has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who have targeted the Mahayuti government over its handling of the incident.
Source: PTI
Also read: Maharashtra: Schools to form Vishakha committees after Badlapur incident
Posted in News, States
