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22 August 2024 12:33:22

Thousands of residents take to the streets; parents protest in front of the school

  • Incident of Sexual Assault on minor girls at School in Badlapur (Thane)

  • Suburban railway traffic halted in Badlapur

  • Use of tear gas shells by Police

  • Protesters attempt to set classrooms on fire by pouring petrol

  • Police resort to cane-charging, while protesters pelt stones at the Police
Parents protest in front of school

Thane – Two four-year-old girls were sexually abused by a male cleaning staff of a reputed school in Badlapur in the school’s toilet. In protest, thousands of residents took to the streets on 20thAugust 2024. Since morning, parents started protesting outside the school. Protesters broke through a police security cordon and stormed into the school, causing damage. They attempted to set the classrooms on fire by pouring petrol, but Police intervention averted the disaster. Police used tear gas shells around the school premises to disperse the aggressive protesters. The area around the school resembled a police camp. Protesters took an aggressive stance, demanding the culprit be handed over to them so they could burn him alive in front of the school. On 20thAugust 2024, a ‘Badlapur Bandh’ was observed.

Despite three hours of protests, the school administration did not respond to the protesters, leading them to move towards Badlapur railway station, and halting the Central Railway traffic. It resulted in disruption of train services. Police tried to remove the protesters from the railway tracks, but the protest turned violent, with the angry crowd clashing with the Police. The situation escalated when the Police cane-charged them, leading to stone-pelting by both passengers and protesters. The Police had to retreat considering the passengers’ fury.

School Principal Leaves School Assuring Action

The school principal requested the protesters to remain calm, while accepting whatever happened in the school was condemnable and despicable. The principal assured of the school’s cooperation with the Police and support to the administration and the victim’s parents. The principal added that the school is considering ways to improve and secure the school’s systems while appealing to parents to refrain from venting out their anger against the school. The principal looked visibly upset as he left the school.

Transfer of the Senior Female Police Inspector Who Kept the Complainant Parents Waiting for 12 Hours

Initially, the school administration and Police tried to suppress the case. When the parents of the victims went to the Police Station to file a complaint, Senior Police Inspector (PI) Shubhada Shitole kept them waiting for 12 hours. PI Shitole was abruptly transferred to the Thane control room following this incident.

Editorial Perspective

Such insensitive Police officers should be dismissed !

School issues an apology letter

The school administration issued only an apology letter, stating, “The contract with the contractor providing the cleaning staff who sexually abused the girls, has been terminated. The school tenders a public apology to all parents. The incident is unfortunate, despicable, and condemnable. The institution insists on strict punishment for the accused. The school has fully cooperated with the Police against the accused.”

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde: Will take action against the school administration if necessary

The accused involved in the sexual assault on students will be severely punished. A trial will be conducted in a fast-track court. I have discussed this with the Thane Police Commissioner. If such incidents occur, the school administrators may also face action. I have also discussed the issue with Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, instructing to devise permanent measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents. I have suggested installing a complaint box in every school for the convenience of students or parents. It is essential to keep a close watch on school staff who are in constant contact with students and to investigate their backgrounds. Instructions have been given to verify whether ‘Sakhi Savitri Committees’ have been set up in schools. If there is any fault on the part of the school management in the Badlapur case, action will also be taken against them.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis: Will strive for the hanging of the culprits

Two accused have been arrested in the Badlapur incident. The police have been instructed to investigate the institution as well. Thane Police Commissioner has been instructed to submit a proposal for conducting a fast-track trial in this case. A special investigation team, led by Senior Police Officer Arti Singh, equivalent to the post of Inspector General of Police, has been appointed to investigate the incident. The Government will make every effort to ensure the death penalty for the culprits. The Police are working carefully in this case considering the sensitivity of the issue. The special investigation team will also investigate if there was any delay in taking action or if the incident was intentionally suppressed, and if the complainants were deliberately kept waiting at the Police station.

Uddhav Thackeray: First Stop Atrocities Against Women and then Call them ‘Ladki Behen (Dear Sister)’

The Chief Minister is implementing the ‘Ladki Behen Yojana,’ but ‘Dear Sister’ is not safe in the State. Call them ‘Dear Sisters’ only when atrocities against women stop. The trial should be conducted in a fast-track court. There was a delay in giving the death penalty to the guilty in the Nirbhaya rape case in Delhi. Justice should be delivered as quickly as possible. Everyone should unite to oppose such incidents, forgetting party differences and castes. During the Mahavikas Aghadi regime, the draft of the ‘Shakti’ Bill was approved, but due to the change in power, we couldn’t pass the law.

Raj Thackeray : If the rule of law exists, why did the Police take 12 hours to file the complaint ?

Raj Thackeray commented that the incident in Badlapur is shocking and infuriating. Why did it take 12 hours to file the complaint ? If the Government is claiming there is rule of law in the State, what do you call this kind of disregard by the Police ? My party workers have been persistent in following up on this issue. I urge them to keep their focus on until the accused get the harshest punishment.

Editorial Perspective

  • People are taking to the streets now because they feel that action is not being taken against rapists. This is shameful for the police.
  • The Government must immediately hang the rapists; this is the only effective way to prevent such incidents.
  • When will the atrocities on young girls, women, and children stop ? A Hindu Rashtra is necessary to ensure a safe life for women.

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