Mumbai, Aug 21 (IANS) Raising serious concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray on Friday highlighted an alarming surge in brutal crimes against women and young children across the state.

The Thackeray camp in the party’s mouthpiece, ‘Saamana’, criticised the state leadership, asserting that Maharashtra — once considered safe for women — has now slipped to second place in the nation for crimes against women.

The party, in an editorial, drew immediate attention to Pune, traditionally known as Maharashtra’s cultural capital and an educational hub, expressing deep concern that the district is rapidly losing its reputation due to a string of horrific sex crimes. “Just as the state was recovering from a tragic sexual assault and murder in Nsrapur (Bhor taluka), a near-identical horror unfolded in Pimpalwandi village (Junnar taluka). A 25-year-old suspect lured a 9-year-old girl away from her house on the pretext of teaching her how to ride a bicycle. He took her to a nearby sugarcane field, sexually assaulted her, beat her severely, and strangled her to death,” said the editorial.

The editorial further stated that in a chilling twist, after concealing the victim’s body, the accused joined police and villagers in the search operation as a cover. He was eventually exposed after CCTV footage showed him with the victim on a bicycle. He subsequently confessed and led police to the body.

Although Pune District Police Chiefs promised a charge sheet within 15 days and a trial in a fast-track court, the editorial questioned whether mere assurances can stop such recurring atrocities. It noted that despite a 65-year-old perpetrator receiving the death penalty within 58 days in the Nasrapur case, the deterrence failed to prevent the Pimpalwandi crime, added the editorial.

Commenting on the disturbing spate of crimes across Maharashtra, the editorial pointed to multiple other serious offences recently reported across various districts. In Hingoli District (Hatta, Vasmat Taluka), a specially-abled girl was lured with biscuits into a sugarcane field and gang-raped by four individuals on August 13. Due to her disability, the incident only came to light when her parents noticed sudden behavioural changes. Three out of four perpetrators have been arrested.

In Nalasopara, two youths sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl and circulated video footage of the assault on social media. According to the editorial, in Bhayandar a 14-year-old girl was subjected to sexual assault involving six perpetrators, while in Wakad (Pune) a 65-year-old man was arrested for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old child.

While police arrests and court proceedings naturally follow after crimes occur, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena questioned why the state administration failed to create enough deterrence to prevent such acts altogether. It alleged that criminal elements feel bold due to perceived political protection.

“Over 23,000 cases of violence and murder involving young boys and girls have been registered in the state in recent years. Maharashtra now ranks second in India for overall crimes against women. The Chief Minister, who holds the Home portfolio, himself admitted in the state legislature that Maharashtra ranks 8th nationally in total crime statistics – a confession the editorial called shameful,” remarked the Thackeray camp.

The editorial concluded with a sharp rebuke of the ruling administration, stating that the current government cannot shirk responsibility for this breakdown in safety. It called out the Chief Minister and Home Department for remaining inactive and unresponsive amid public outcry over these tragic events.

–IANS

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