Mumbai, August 21: The Shiv Sena (UBT) has targeted the state government over the rising crimes against women and young girls in Maharashtra. In an editorial published in their mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ on Friday, the party expressed serious concern about the deteriorating law and order situation.
The editorial highlighted that Maharashtra, once considered a safe haven for women, has now become the second highest state in the country for crimes against women.
Pune was mentioned first in the editorial, recognized as Maharashtra’s cultural capital and educational hub. The party claimed that Pune is losing its identity.
According to Shiv Sena (UBT), the state has not yet recovered from the recent sexual assault and murder incident in Nasrapur (Bhor taluka) when a similarly horrific event occurred in Pimplavandi village of Junnar taluka. A 25-year-old suspect lured a 9-year-old girl under the pretense of teaching her to ride a bicycle, then assaulted, brutally beat, and killed her.
Afterward, the accused hid the girl’s body and participated in a charade with the police and villagers to search for her. He was eventually caught on CCTV footage riding a bicycle with the girl.
Although the Pune rural police chief has promised to file a charge sheet within 15 days and expedite the court proceedings, ‘Saamana’ raised doubts about whether mere assurances can prevent such crimes. The editorial pointed out that in the Nasrapur case, a 65-year-old criminal was sentenced to death in just 58 days, yet incidents like that in Pimplavandi continue unabated.
The ‘Saamana’ editorial also referenced incidents from other districts in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (UBT) stated that while police arrests and court actions occur post-crime, the government fails to implement measures to prevent such crimes from happening in the first place. They alleged that political protection for criminals has emboldened them.
The editorial noted that over 23,000 cases of violence and murder against young boys and girls have been recorded in the state in recent years. Maharashtra ranks second in the country for crimes against women. The Chief Minister himself acknowledged in the assembly that Maharashtra ranks eighth in total crime statistics. Shiv Sena (UBT) deemed this situation shameful.
The current government cannot evade responsibility for the breakdown of security. The Chief Minister and the Home Department remain inactive amid public outrage.
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