Internet Suspended, Schools Closed In Badlapur Following Protests Over Sexual Abuse Case
Internet Suspended, Schools Closed In Badlapur Following Protests Over Sexual Abuse Case
Badlapur, August 21, 2024 — Internet services were suspended and schools remained closed in Badlapur, Maharashtra, after massive protests erupted over the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls. The protests, which took place in Thane district, led to violence and stone-pelting, injuring 17 police officers and eight railway personnel.
On Tuesday, thousands of protesters blocked railway tracks and damaged school property, prompting the police to use force to disperse the crowd. Authorities have since arrested 72 individuals involved in the violence.
Additional police forces have been deployed to restore order, and the situation is slowly returning to normal. However, internet services will remain suspended until further notice. The protests began after a school sweeper was accused of sexually abusing two young girls in the school washroom. In response, the school management suspended the principal, a teacher, and a female attendant. The state government has also suspended three police officials for their inadequate response to the incident.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a special investigation team to expedite the case, while Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has vowed to take strict action against those responsible.
