Madurai Police's Kaaval Karangal Initiative Transforms Lives of Homeless and Mentally Ill
In a remarkable display of community policing, the Madurai city police's humane outreach program Kaaval Karangal has successfully rescued and rehabilitated 141 abandoned and mentally ill homeless individuals, reuniting many of them with their long-lost families across Tamil Nadu. This compassionate initiative represents a significant step forward in addressing urban homelessness with dignity and respect.
Inspired by Chennai Model, Launched with Commissioner's Vision
Drawing inspiration from a similar program run by the Greater Chennai Police, the Kaaval Karangal initiative was launched in Madurai under the leadership of city police commissioner J Loganathan. After conducting a successful pilot run, the program was formally rolled out on March 26, 2025, marking a new chapter in community-oriented policing in southern Tamil Nadu.
Commissioner Loganathan emphasized to TOI that the program's core philosophy revolves around "rescue with dignity." He explained, "Mentally ill or seriously unwell persons are carefully shifted to hospitals or shelter homes for proper treatment and rehabilitation. Following their recovery, we make concerted efforts to reunite them with their families, provided they are willing to return home."
Addressing Vulnerability Through Systematic Approach
Police officials highlighted that homeless individuals living on roadsides face multiple dangers, including heightened vulnerability to accidents and assaults. Identification presents a major challenge, as many have been missing for years and their appearances have changed significantly over time.
"Despite these substantial challenges, our dedicated teams have successfully traced families through sustained investigative efforts and close coordination with non-governmental organizations," Commissioner Loganathan noted proudly.
Comprehensive Rescue and Rehabilitation Process
The initiative operates through a well-structured process:
- A dedicated mobile number has been established to receive alerts from concerned citizens
- Following rescue, individuals receive thorough cleaning and grooming with strict respect for their privacy
- Photographs are then shared strategically on social media platforms to facilitate family identification
- The program has expanded beyond Madurai city limits, with police coordinating rescue operations in neighboring districts based on similar alerts
Strong Community and Institutional Support
During rescue operations, the police receive extensive support from NGOs, with Chellamuthu Trust playing a particularly significant role on the ground alongside the police department. Currently, ambulance services are being provided on a temporary basis by Nethaji Medical Trust.
Additionally, an ambulance sponsored by State Bank of India under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative—handed over on January 3—has been sent to Coimbatore for necessary modifications and is expected to be deployed for service shortly.
Specialized Team Handling Complex Cases
The initiative is managed by a specialized team led by anti-human trafficking unit inspector Hema Mala N, who is assisted by two sub-inspectors and support staff, all working under the direct supervision of Commissioner Loganathan.
Inspector Hema Mala acknowledged that rescues involving individuals with mental illness present unique challenges. She shared the poignant case of Gopal V, 66, who had been living near the LIC building at Sellur. After being rescued and transferred to an old-age home, he expressed a heartfelt desire to reunite with his family in Sattur, Virudhunagar district.
The police successfully traced his relatives and facilitated an emotional reunion after nearly two decades of separation. Gopal's brother-in-law, Sundarajan K, revealed that the family had searched for him for years but never approached the police formally. "We are extremely grateful to the police department for finding him and bringing him back home," he expressed emotionally.
Transformative Impact on Lives and Communities
In another moving case, a 50-year-old mentally ill man from TNHB Colony in Villapuram was reunited with his family after two decades apart, further demonstrating the growing impact of Kaaval Karangal in restoring lost lives and fractured relationships.
Police observations reveal interesting insights about the homeless population: while some rescued individuals prefer to remain in care homes, many homeless people are not food-insecure, as they receive regular meals from compassionate members of the public.
The Kaaval Karangal initiative stands as a testament to how law enforcement agencies can extend their role beyond traditional policing to become agents of social transformation, bringing hope and healing to society's most vulnerable members through compassion, coordination, and community engagement.
