Outrage and unrest gripped Maharashtra’s Thane district after two four-year-old girls were sexually assaulted at a local school in Badlapur. Thousands of protesters flooded the area, blocking train services at Badlapur railway station and leading to a violent confrontation with police.
The protests began early in the morning as demonstrators gathered at the railway station, expressing their anger over the assault that occurred on August 16. The situation escalated over six hours, with crowds growing increasingly agitated and blocking train movement, prompting concerns about public safety and law and order.
The police intervention was swift and forceful. Officers used batons and tear gas to disperse the protesters, who responded by throwing stones, turning the station into a chaotic scene. The police managed to regain control, but the tensions and the scale of the protest underscored the community’s deep frustration.
The incident has been further inflamed by allegations of inadequate police response. Reports suggest that the parents of the assaulted girls were forced to wait 11 hours at a local police station before filing a First Information Report (FIR). In response, the Maharashtra government has suspended three police personnel involved in the case.
The opposition has also weighed in on the situation, with Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar criticizing the delay in filing the complaint and calling the incident “bigger” than the recent rape-murder of a young doctor in Kolkata. Wadettiwar condemned the lack of sensitivity in handling the case and demanded immediate action, including the suspension of the woman police officer responsible for the delay.
The assault reportedly took place inside the girls’ toilet at an English Medium school, where a 23-year-old cleaner has been arrested in connection with the crime. The school’s administration has taken steps to address the issue, including suspending the principal, dismissing the class teacher and nanny, and revealing significant safety lapses such as non-functional CCTV cameras and the absence of female attendants in the girls’ toilets.
In response to the incident, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the creation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a female IPS officer. The police have also been directed to propose the establishment of a fast-track court to expedite the legal proceedings.
The Thane protests, occurring against the backdrop of heightened national concern over similar crimes, reflect widespread public anger and demand for justice and accountability in cases of child sexual abuse.
Sources By Agencies
