Maharashtra: No Dahi Handi Celebrations In Badlapur Following Tragic School Assault, Says MNS MLA

No Dahi Handi event is being held in Badlapur in Thane district this year due to the horrific incident of two school girls being sexually assaulted, several organisers said on Monday.

MNS MLA Raju Patil said his party has also cancelled its event in nearby Ulhasnagar, while the one at Dombivali has also been called off. The decision was taken keeping in mind the sentiments of the people, Patil added.

Two schoolgirls were sexually assaulted allegedly by an attendant, leading to a massive protest in Badlapur in Thane district on August 20, affecting suburban services for more than 10 hours. Since then, allegations have surfaced against the police for the casual manner in which the case was treated, including making the parents of the victim wait for hours before registering a case.

Security arrangements:

In other parts of Maharashtra, tight security arrangements have been made by the state authorities.

More than 11,000 police personnel have been deployed in Mumbai for Dahi Handi festivities on Tuesday, an official said. One of the city's most patronised festivals, thousands of people are expected to throng the sites of more than 1,900 Dahi Handi events, including 500 major ones, he said.

"More than 11,000 personnel have been deployed for security and maintaining law and order. All deputy police commissioners of zones and additional police commissioners of regions apart from the constabulary and inspector-level officials from police stations will be on the ground to supervise and enforce the security arrangements," he informed.