Nashik 5-year-old girl raped: 5 important things to know

New Delhi: Maharashtra’s Nashik is on the boil after a teenager boy allegedly tried to rape a 5-year-old girl in Talegaon village near Trimbakeshwar.  Trimbakeshwar is one of the holy places in Maharashtra and the incident comes in as a shock to locals. Tension had gripped various parts of the district since Saturday night. The accused teenager reportedly belongs to a lower caste. Below we look at six important developments:

1. Mobile internet services suspended: The police today ordered suspension of mobile internet and bulk messaging services for two days to maintain peace and check the spread of rumours and provocative messages in the city, which saw violent protests after the alleged rape attempt by a teenage boy on a 5-year-old girl.
2. Accused arrested:  The boy has been booked under IPC section 376 (rape) and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
3. Heavy police deployment - Violence erupted on Sunday as villagers staged a rasta rook at important junctions in the city including the Mumbai-Agra National Highway. Several vehicles were set on fire.
4. CM appeals for peace - Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appeal for calm and has given an assurance that the case would be tried in a fast track court.
5. Rumours a concern - Nashik District Superintendent of Police (rural) Ankush Shinde said the situation is under control as no untoward incident has been reported so far today. He appealed to people not to believe in rumours being circulated on social media and assist police administration to help bring normalcy. Nashik's Deputy Commissioner of Police Laxmikant Patil said the situation in the city was normal, but they were keeping a close watch on social media for those circulating rumours and false messages.
6. Schools-colleges shut: Schools declared a holiday today for students as a safety measure, and those open witnessed thin attendance. Colleges were also shut on Monday.