Rail Roko Protest At Badlapur Station: Locals Halt Trains Over Sexual Assault Of Two Nursery Girls | Watch

Outrage has swept through Maharashtra's Badlapur as locals took to the railway tracks on Tuesday to protest against the horrifying sexual assault of two four-year-old girls at a local school. The accused, a 23-year-old male attendant, allegedly committed the crime within the school's washroom.

The protests, which saw citizens blocking the railway tracks, caused significant disruption to train services during the busy morning hours. According to railway officials, the agitation has affected local train operations between Ambarnath and Karjat on both the Up and Down lines.

The incident has sparked widespread anger and raised serious concerns about the safety of students and the management practices of educational institutions in Badlapur. The school in question is a well-known establishment in the area, heightening the shock and outrage among the local community.

In response to the incident, citizens, supported by various political parties, have called for a complete shutdown in Badlapur on Tuesday. Several autorickshaw unions and school bus operators have also joined the protest in solidarity.

The issue has garnered significant political attention, with Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) lawmaker Priyanka Chaturvedi expressing her outrage on social media platform X. She wrote, "Two young girls were sexually assaulted in Badlapur, Maharashtra, within the school premises; the entire state is outraged and seeks justice. I once again urge the @rashtrapatibhvn to approve the Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law, so no other child or woman faces this travesty. Shame on the state government for continuing to ignore the safety of women."

She further criticised societal attitudes, stating, "These were nursery-going girls. This incident happened on school premises. Sick perverts in our society want women to dress 'decently,' step out during 'safe hours,' and work in 'safe zones,' taking charge of their 'own safety.' What would you all say to this?"

The case came to light when one of the young victims confided in her parents. Upon learning that another child had been similarly affected, both families approached the police. A case was promptly filed, and the accused has since been arrested.

Police investigations have revealed troubling gaps in the school's safety measures. Notably, there were no female attendants assigned to the girls' washrooms, and the school lacked CCTV cameras, raising further concerns about the institution's commitment to student safety.