A group of students from the Mahakali Nagar slums in Nagpur, who had previously witnessed police raids in their neighborhood, experienced a remarkable turn of events on Wednesday. The same police squads returned, not to conduct raids, but to felicitate them for their outstanding performance in the state board Class 12 (HSC) and Class 10 (SSC) examinations.
From Crime Hub to Academic Achievement
Mahakali Nagar, once notorious as a crime hub, has now produced 21 bright students despite adverse conditions. Among them, two students scored over 80%. The area had seen police extern five top goons and slap the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act (MPDA) on another couple of gangsters in the past.
Student Achievers
Mukesh Patel, whose father works as a mason and mother as a domestic help, was felicitated for scoring more than 82% in the SSC exam. He had previously witnessed police dragging goons away from the area. Other SSC achievers included Chandani Shahu with 77% and Chahat Gedam with 68%.
In the HSC category, Shruti Kamble (62%), Simran Mhatre (64%), and Aditya Bhagat (63%) were among those honored.
Community Policing Initiative
Commissioner of Police Ravinder Singal led the police personnel during the felicitation ceremony in the Beltarodi police station limits. The locality had previously witnessed gruesome murders, residents setting goons' houses on fire, daily raids, and assaults on policemen. Between 2020 and 2023, Mahakali Nagar saw a spike in property crimes, offenses against women, and other criminal activities.
The turnaround came after sustained community policing efforts, including corner meetings, police-citizen interactions, and citizen outreach. Senior Inspector Mukund Kawade of Beltarodi police station described the program as his experimentation with community policing leading to social transformation. 'We motivated students with books and other educational facilities. It took sustained community policing and preventive actions to create a conducive environment for education,' said Kawade.
Support from Higher Officials
Kawade organized the program under the guidance of the Commissioner of Police, Zonal DCP Rashmita Rao, and ACP Narendra Hiware (Ajni Division). CP Singal presented mementos and certificates to the toppers in the presence of around 400 parents and residents. Singal urged students to maintain discipline, consistency, and positive thinking.
