Against the backdrop of horrific gang-rape and murder of a veterinarian in Hyderabad, the police in Maharashtra's Nagpur city have launched an initiative to help women stranded at lonely spots at night. Police commissioner Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay issued a directive in this regard on Monday, an official said.

From 9 pm to 5 am, if a woman dials '100' or calls up nearby police station saying she wants to go to a particular
place but there is no safe transport option, a beat marshal will reach the spot to help her. If needed, a police vehicle with a woman cop will drop her at her destination, the commissioner's directive, broadcast through a wireless message to all the police stations in the city, stated.