Protests Erupt Over Kindergartner Sexual Abuse in Thane; Rail Services Disrupted

Protests at Badlapur railway station over the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls continued for over six hours. Demonstrators, including women, demanded justice and capital punishment for the accused. State officials attempted to calm the situation, but the protests persisted, disrupting train services. Some allege political motives behind the unrest.

Protests at Badlapur railway station in Thane district against the alleged sexual abuse of two young kindergarten students continued for more than six hours on Tuesday. Despite pleas from the state government to allow the passage of trains, the crowd, which comprised several women, refused to disperse.

State cabinet minister Girish Mahajan attempted to pacify the protesters in the afternoon, but his efforts were met with slogans demanding 'justice' for the victims and capital punishment for the accused. Mahajan's plea to clear the train tracks was countered with chants of 'hang, hang' by the demonstrators.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Kisan Kathore from the Murbad constituency in Thane alleged that the protest was politically motivated, claiming that many agitators were not locals but from neighboring areas. The police have arrested an attendant at the school for allegedly sexually abusing the girls, leading to the suspension of several school staff members.