On Tuesday, August 20, protests erupted at Badlapur railway station in Thane district, Maharashtra, after the alleged sexual assault of two nursery students by a male attendant at a local school. The incident sparked outrage among residents, leading to a ‘rail roko’ agitation where protesters occupied the railway tracks, disrupting train services between Ambernath and Karjat. The protesters also resorted to pelting stones at the police.
According to reports, the two girls were allegedly abused by the attendant last week. Their parents became aware of the incident on August 18 and filed a police report. The accused was subsequently arrested by the Maharashtra police. The parents reported that the attendant had sexually assaulted the girls in the school’s toilet. The girls confided in their parents about the inappropriate touching, prompting the complaint and subsequent arrest of the suspect.
The ‘rail roko’ agitation, which began at 10 am, caused significant disruption to train services. The Central Railway chief public relations officer, Swapnil Nila, stated that local trains on the affected route had been suspended, while long-distance trains were diverted. Nila appealed to the protesters to vacate the tracks to allow for the resumption of train services.
In response to the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed the police to charge the accused with attempted rape. Additionally, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by senior IPS officer Arti Singh to investigate the incident thoroughly. The Thane Police Commissioner was also instructed to submit a proposal for a fast-track trial to ensure swift justice for the victims.
The incident has once again highlighted the urgency of addressing child sexual abuse and ensuring the safety of children in educational institutions. The authorities are determined to pursue the case vigorously and bring the perpetrator to justice.
