Maharashtra Minister Claims Outsiders Behind Badlapur Protests Over School Incident

Maharashtra minister Shambhuraj Desai claimed that the violent protests blocking railway traffic in Badlapur were instigated by outsiders. The protests followed an incident of sexual abuse involving two girls at a local school. Desai criticized the school management for not performing police verification on hired staff, while a tehsildar related the school's closure decision to the incident.

Maharashtra minister Shambhuraj Desai on Wednesday asserted that the violent protests which disrupted railway traffic in Badlapur, following a sexual abuse incident involving two girls at a local school, were orchestrated by outsiders.

A probe to identify those responsible for the protests is currently underway, according to Desai.

Speaking to reporters after visiting Badlapur, Desai emphasized that the culprits behind the riots were not local residents. He criticized the school for not conducting police verification on the staff supplied by outside agencies, noting that the accused worked as a school attendant.

In the aftermath of the protests, which saw the school's property damaged by a violent mob, the school remained closed on Wednesday, with local tehsildar Amit Puri stating that the decision to resume classes lies with the school management.

(With inputs from agencies.)