Massive protests in Maharashtra’s Badlapur over assault of 2 girls; internet shut, 72 arrested

Thane: Internet services in Badlapur, Maharashtra’s Thane district, were suspended, and most schools remained closed on Wednesday following a massive protest over the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls.

During Tuesday’s protest, 17 city police personnel and eight railway officers were injured in stone-pelting incidents at the railway station and other areas of Badlapur. Authorities have arrested 72 people involved in the violence.

Additional police forces have been deployed to restore order, and the town is slowly returning to normalcy.

The protest brought Badlapur to a halt as thousands blocked railway tracks and stormed a school building after the alleged sexual abuse by a school sweeper. Protesters vandalized the school and attacked police, who responded with cane charges.

Three FIRs have been filed against the miscreants, and 40 people have been arrested so far. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage to identify more offenders.

In response to the violence, the school management suspended the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant. The state government also suspended three police officials for negligence in the case.