Internet services were suspended and schools remained closed for a second consecutive day in a town near Mumbai on Wednesday, amid escalating protests over the alleged sexual abuse of two 4-year-old girls.
The protests in Badlapur, about 50km from Mumbai, come amid nationwide demonstrations over the rape and murder of 31-year-old doctor in the eastern city of Kolkata.
According to media reports, a janitor was arrested over the weekend for allegedly sexually abusing students at a school in Badlapur.
On Tuesday, enraged parents of the schoolchildren and local residents, including several women, gathered outside the school and staged a railway blockade protest at the station, halting local trains from around 8:30am, local time.
Some protesters later damaged school property, breaking gates, window panes, benches, and doors.
During the protest, 17 police personnel, including two officers, were injured after being attacked by an angry mob.
Authorities ordered schools to stay closed and suspended internet services for a second day to prevent protests.
The accused was arrested by police on August 17. In the wake of the incident, the school management suspended the principal, a class teacher, and a woman attendant.
