Young Girl's Terrifying Solo Train Journey Ends in Rescue
A seven-year-old girl traveling alone on a Patiala-Nabha train was rescued in a late-night operation on Sunday, thanks to the persistent efforts of a 25-year-old Nabha resident who battled jurisdictional confusion and apathy from multiple authorities.
The incident began unfolding on Saturday evening when the young woman, returning from Delhi, noticed the frightened child aboard the train. Concerned for the girl's safety, she approached her but found the child unable to provide clear information about her family or whereabouts.
Jurisdictional Runaround and Official Apathy
The woman decided to accompany the girl to Nabha station to seek official help, but what followed was a frustrating series of jurisdictional hurdles. Railway police initially cited jurisdiction limitations, then displayed an apathetic attitude, and ultimately refused to take responsibility for the child.
"With no assistance from railway police, I took the child to a nearby Dhaba to get her food and began calling helplines for support," the woman revealed, requesting anonymity. The Child Protection Helpline connected her to Patiala District Child Protection Officer Roopwant Kaur, but jurisdictional issues continued to delay action.
Even when a police officer contacted her, he declined involvement, stating that Nabha city fell outside his jurisdiction. This left the child in limbo despite multiple attempts to secure official protection.
Late-Night Intervention Brings Resolution
Around 10 pm on Saturday, after repeated delays in the arrival of an official child protection team from Patiala, a retired banker and local journalist stepped in to assist. At 11:15 pm, they contacted Patiala deputy commissioner, who immediately directed Nabha police to intervene.
Within minutes, police officers reached the Dhaba, but the vigilant woman refused to hand over the child without a female constable present. Police then coordinated with the Child Protection Department, and a woman constable arrived only after senior officers issued warnings about the situation.
"The child was then safely shifted to the Short Stay Home at Mata Kaushalya Hospital, Patiala, after which I returned home around midnight after confirming the child's safety," the woman stated.
Aftermath and Official Responses
Patiala District Child Protection Officer Roopwant Kaur confirmed that the visibly distressed child received initial counseling on Sunday morning. "Further details will be gathered once she has rested, and efforts are underway to trace her family, suspected to be migrant workers," she added.
Station House Officer Nabha Kotwali SS Cheema acknowledged the initial delay, stating, "The initial delay took place due to jurisdiction confusion." Regarding the woman constable's late arrival, he defended, "We haven't taken any action as she reached in short span of time despite after hectic day-duties."
Nabha GRP incharge ASI Bahadar Singh offered a different perspective, claiming, "I checked with my staff who told me that they didn't refuse to accept and keep the girl child in their custody. The young woman claimed that she had spoke to higher authorities and that she will handover the child to them. At night we do not have any woman constable with us."
The incident highlights significant gaps in child protection mechanisms during inter-district travel and raises serious questions about coordination between railway police, GRP, and district child protection authorities when vulnerable children need immediate assistance.
