The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), a coalition of political parties in Maharashtra, has announced a state-wide bandh (strike) on August 24 in response to the ongoing outrage over a serious incident in Badlapur. The call for the bandh comes amidst protests following the alleged sexual assault of two fourth-grade girls by a school attendant.
The decision to call for a bandh was made during a meeting initially intended to discuss seat-sharing arrangements for upcoming assembly elections. However, the severity of the Badlapur incident prompted the coalition to shift its focus.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut highlighted the urgency of addressing the law and order situation in Maharashtra. He expressed frustration over the government's handling of the incident, stating that the people of Maharashtra are deeply agitated and that FIRs have been registered against those who protested. The MVA’s decision reflects their commitment to addressing public concerns and demanding accountability.
The incident that triggered this response involved the arrest of a school attendant on August 17, following accusations of sexually assaulting the two minor girls. The arrest led to a significant public outcry, culminating in a large protest at Badlapur Railway Station.
During this protest, demonstrators clashed with police, leading to stone-pelting and significant disruptions. In response to the unrest, Maharashtra Police have arrested over 40 individuals and registered FIRs against around 300 protesters.
NCP-SCP leader Jitendra Awhad criticised the current government, labelling it as unconstitutional and emphasising the growing concern over increasing criminal activities.
He argued that the bandh is necessary to address these issues and to push for justice. Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat also echoed this sentiment, stressing the seriousness of the Badlapur incident and supporting the bandh as a means to highlight the issue.
In light of the protests and public discontent, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered a high-level investigation into the case. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established to thoroughly probe the incident and ensure that justice is served.
The heavy security deployment in response to the protests underscores the gravity of the situation and the authorities' commitment to managing the unrest and restoring order.
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