Schoolgirls Sexually Abused, Parents Protest at Badlapur Railway Station; Locals Halted

Hundreds of enraged parents and locals staged a protest at Badlapur railway station on Tuesday morning, blocking train services following the alleged sexual assault of two young girls at a school in Maharashtra’s Thane district. The agitation, which began around 8:00 am, disrupted the movement of local trains on both the Up and Down routes.

The protest was triggered by the arrest of a school attendant accused of sexually abusing two girls, aged three and four, who were in kindergarten. The incident reportedly took place on August 17, after which the Thane Police apprehended the accused. According to the parents’ complaint, the attendant had allegedly abused the girls in the school’s toilet. A case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

In response to public outrage, the school management suspended the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant, holding them accountable for the incident. The school also apologized and blacklisted the firm responsible for housekeeping. Increased vigilance measures have been promised on the school premises.

Here are the key points on the Badlapur protest:

1. The protest began at Badlapur railway station around 8:00 am, with parents and locals blocking train tracks to demand strict action against the accused.
2. The incident involved the alleged sexual abuse of two girls aged three and four by a school attendant in Thane district.
3. The police arrested the accused under the POCSO Act after the parents lodged a complaint based on their children’s statements.
4. The school management has suspended the principal, a teacher, and a female attendant, while also apologizing for the incident.
5. The school announced it has blacklisted the firm responsible for housekeeping and plans to enhance security on the premises.
6. The protest disrupted the movement of local trains on both Up and Down routes, causing significant delays.
7. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated that he has taken serious note of the incident. He announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and promised swift action against those found guilty.
8. The Badlapur police station in-charge has been transferred for allegedly failing to act promptly when the parents initially approached the police.
9. A large group of protesters, including many women, carried banners and placards while blocking the tracks and shouting slogans demanding justice.
10. Efforts by the police and railway officials to control the situation are ongoing, with the Central Railway’s public relations officer confirming the protest is related to the incident at the school.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed outrage over the incident, stating that the entire state is demanding justice. She reiterated her call for the Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law to be approved by the President to better safeguard children and women in the state.