Mob clashes with cops in Malegaon over sexual abuse in school

A mob set on fire five police vehicles and office of a minority-run school today on reports of alleged sexual abuse of a five-year-old girl student by a sweeper on its premises in Ayesha Nagar locality.
"An irate mob gathered in front of the Urdu primary school, located adjacent to a madarsa, in the afternoon and set ablaze five police vehicles, including two vans and three motorcycles, apart from some furniture, documents, and computers in the office of the school," said Additional SP Sunil Kadasane.
Police have detained the accused sweeper in connection with the alleged sexual assault that had reportedly taken place last week.

Trouble started when the girl's parents met the school management today, during which arguments broke out.
After a while, the parents along with some people gathered outside the school and demanded the suspect be handed over to them, Kadasane said.
He said the mob then started throwing stones at the school even as the police rushed to the spot.

"Police resorted to a mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd, but they (crowd) targeted the police and set ablaze five police vehicles and the furniture in the school's office," the officer said.
A few policemen reportedly sustained injuries in the incident.

Meanwhile, police are trying to check the spread of rumours after the incident in this communally-sensitive town.
By the evening, a company of State Reserve Police Force and three platoons of Rapid Action Force were rushed to the city.
Senior police officials are conducting meetings with Muslim community leaders and other influential people to avoid any probable communal spill over.
The situation is under control now, police said, adding they have intensified patrolling.