Nagpur: In the narrow, dimly lit lanes of Ganga Jamuna, a place often associated with stigma, struggle, and survival, humanity shone bright on Thursday evening. A group of sex workers, accustomed to society’s scorn but not stripped of empathy, spotted a frightened 16-year-old girl from Betul, Madhya Pradesh, wandering aimlessly with a school bag on her back. The teenager, who had arrived in Nagpur earlier that day searching for a women’s hostel, had unknowingly strayed into the red-light district.
Alarm bells rang instantly in the minds of the women, Lata Moundekar, Jyoti Rathod, Pinki Dhanawat, and Priya Dhanawat. “She looked lost, like someone’s daughter trying to find her way,” one of them said, refusing to reveal her name. “We couldn’t just watch and do nothing.”
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The women quickly took the girl under their wing, shielding her from onlookers. Law student Payal Moundekar, who was in the area, immediately informed Zonal DCP Rahul Madane, who directed a team to reach the spot. Within minutes, the group, along with police personnel, safely escorted the girl to Lakadganj Police Station.
Police later discovered that the girl had been missing from her Betul home for three days. A bus ticket from Betul to Nagpur, some cash, and a mobile phone were found in her possession. Senior Inspector Hemant Chandewar confirmed that a missing person’s complaint had been registered at Bhainsdehi Police Station. “She has left home earlier too,” Chandewar said, adding that she was being uncooperative and had provided misleading addresses. The teenager was later sent for medical examination and counselling before being presented before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
IG Sandip Patil, who currently holds charge as Commissioner of Police, Nagpur, personally monitored the case, directing officers to handle it with utmost sensitivity.
For the women of Ganga Jamuna, however, it wasn’t about recognition, it was instinct. “We know how dangerous these lanes can be for a young girl,” one of them said softly. “Maybe life hasn’t been kind to us, but at least we could be kind to her.”
Their act of courage and compassion, in a place often vilified, reminds society that empathy knows no boundaries. In Nagpur’s most misunderstood neighbourhood, humanity stood taller than prejudice that night.
