Nagpur: After rescuing 482 vulnerable people from the scorching heatwave conditions gripping the city, Nagpur Police have now launched the third and most aggressive phase of its humanitarian campaign ‘Mission Mukti’, turning policing into a lifeline for the city’s homeless, destitute and mentally ill population.
At a time when Nagpur is witnessing extreme temperatures and a rise in heatwave-related deaths, the city police under the leadership of Police Commissioner Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal has intensified efforts to protect those abandoned on footpaths, roadsides and public spaces from becoming silent victims of the deadly summer.
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May 07- 2026 - Time 10.30Hrs
Launched in March 2025, ‘Mission Mukti’ is a joint initiative of Nagpur City Police, Government departments, hospitals and several social organisations aimed at rescuing people living in inhuman conditions and helping them return to a life of dignity.
The initiative was conceptualised by Dr Singal with the objective of protecting homeless individuals, beggars, abandoned elderly persons and mentally unstable people from the brutal heatwave currently sweeping across the region.
Rescue, Rehabilitation and Reintegration
The mission operates on a comprehensive “3R Model,” Rescue, Rehabilitation and Reintegration.
Under the first two phases of the campaign, police teams rescued 482 people from roadsides, traffic junctions, footpaths and open public areas. Many of them were reportedly suffering from dehydration, severe illness, mental health issues and were at high risk of sunstroke and heat-related death.
The rescued individuals were shifted to shelter homes, rehabilitation centres and medical facilities where they were provided food, clothing, healthcare and counselling support.
Officials said the campaign has already prevented several possible fatalities during the ongoing heatwave.
Nagpur among hottest cities
With Nagpur emerging among the hottest cities in the world in recent weeks and nearly 25 heatwave-related deaths reported, authorities have now activated the most intensive phase of the operation.
Phase III of Mission Mukti will involve round-the-clock patrolling, on-the-spot medical screening, emergency rescue operations and immediate relocation of vulnerable individuals to safe shelters.
Special focus will also be placed on mental health treatment, family tracing, reunification of abandoned persons with relatives and long-term institutional rehabilitation.
Police officials said the mission is not merely about removing beggars from streets, but about restoring human dignity and ensuring no vulnerable person is left to die helplessly under extreme weather conditions.
The initiative has also produced wider social impact across the city. Authorities claim the mission has helped improve public hygiene, reduced pressure on emergency medical services and strengthened trust between citizens and law enforcement agencies.
Nagpur Police have appealed to citizens to actively support the campaign by informing authorities about vulnerable people found suffering on roadsides and public places.
Officials also urged people not to encourage organised begging by giving money directly on streets, assuring that rescued individuals would instead receive structured medical care, shelter and rehabilitation support.
“This is not just a policing mission, but a humanitarian movement,” officials said.
High-level coordination meeting held
The launch of Phase III was marked by a high-level coordination meeting chaired by Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal.
Senior officials from major Government hospitals, mental healthcare institutions, women and child welfare departments, social justice departments, child protection authorities, NGOs and social organisations participated in the meeting.
Among those present were Government Medical College and Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Avinash Gawande, psychiatrist Dr Ashish Kute from Regional Mental Hospital, IGGMCH Medical Superintendent Dr Nitin Shende, Superintendent of Government Beggar Home Naresh Sontakke, social welfare officials and representatives of leading NGOs including Hitjyoti Foundation, Sahyadri Foundation and Divyavandan Foundation.
Senior Police Inspectors from police stations across Nagpur city also attended the meeting to coordinate rescue operations.
Students invited to join mission
Dr Singal appealed to citizens and students to become part of the social movement and contribute towards helping vulnerable people.
Police said students participating in Mission Mukti will be provided participation certificates as recognition for their social service.
Citizens interested in joining or assisting the campaign can contact Mission Mukti at 814906357.
The initiative is now being viewed as a model of compassionate policing, with Nagpur emerging as a leading example of how law enforcement agencies can play a direct humanitarian role during urban crises and extreme weather emergencies.
