Thane Protest: School girls sexually assaulted, Parents block Badlapur railway station, Train services disrupted

Vivek Kumar 20 August 2024 English News
Thane protest schoolgirls sexually assaulted, parents block Badlapur railway station, train services disrupted
Thane protest schoolgirls sexually assaulted, parents block Badlapur railway station, train services disrupted

In Thane district’s Badlapur, a significant protest erupted as hundreds of outraged parents and locals swarmed the Badlapur railway station, halting train services since 8 AM on Tuesday. The protest was ignited by the alleged sexual abuse of two young girls, aged three and four, within the premises of a local school.

The parents, demanding swift and stringent action against the culprits, have continued their blockade at the station. The school management responded by suspending the principal and two staff members in connection with the incident.

The disruption of train services on both Up and Down routes has persisted since the early hours, severely affecting the movement of commuters. The incident dates back to August 17, when a school attendant was arrested by Thane Police under allegations of sexually abusing the two kindergarten students.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, responding to the situation, stated that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established to handle the case. He assured that the investigation would be fast-tracked, promising that those found guilty would face severe consequences.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray has called for a speedy trial, emphasizing the need for quick justice. He criticized the state government, drawing a parallel to the recent rape and murder case in Kolkata, suggesting that the focus should be on addressing crimes against women across all states rather than selectively.

Thackeray further pointed out the link between the school where the abuse occurred and BJP leaders, insisting on an expedited judicial process to ensure justice for the victims.

Photo of the culprit

BADLAPUR PROTEST UPDATES

  1. The alleged abuse occurred in the school’s toilet, as reported by the victims, leading to the filing of a complaint under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
  2. Following the incident, the police arrested the school attendant. The school’s management has since suspended the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant, holding them accountable.
  3. The school has publicly apologized for the incident and severed ties with the housekeeping firm responsible for employing the accused.
  4. Increased vigilance has been promised by the school authorities in response to the incident.
  5. The Badlapur police station in-charge was transferred after failing to take appropriate action when approached by the victims’ parents, according to an official statement.
  6. On Tuesday, a large group of parents, accompanied by local residents, gathered outside the school demanding strict punishment for those involved.
  7. Protesters, many of whom were women, later moved to the railway tracks, carrying banners and shouting slogans, leading to a major disruption in train services. Authorities are struggling to manage the escalating situation.
  8. Central Railway officials reported that 10 express trains have been diverted via the Karjat-Panvel-Thane route, while local trains between CSMT and Ambarnath continue to run. However, services between Badlapur and Karjat remain suspended.
  9. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed outrage on behalf of the state, urging the central government to approve the Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law to prevent further incidents of this nature. She criticized the state government for its continued neglect of women’s safety.
  10. The protest has sparked widespread anger and calls for justice across the state, with many demanding immediate and strong action to ensure the safety of children in educational institutions.

News by Hindi Patrika