Mahakumbh Nagar:

The digital lost-and-found centres set up in the Maha Kumbh Mela here have helped reunite over 20,000 missing people with their loved ones, the Uttar Pradesh government said on Saturday.

According to it, the digital lost-and-found centres, equipped with advanced AI-based facial recognition technology, machine learning and multilingual support, reunited 8,725 devotees with their families in and around the major bathing event on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

Similarly, during the Makar Sankranti bathing event 598 devotees were traced and united with their families while during Basant Panchami Amrit Snan, the centres helped reunite 813 pilgrims with their family, the government said.

Apart from these major bathing events, the digital centres have helped over 10,000 people reunite with their families. The government said a large number of those reunited with their families were women. Police also played a key role in this effort, it said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the digital lost-and-found centres on December 7 last year to ensure a hassle-free experience for devotees attending the Maha Kumbh.

Ten digital lost and found centres were set up at key locations, including at Prayagraj Junction Railway Station. The Uttar Pradesh Police, administrative officials and various volunteer organizations played a crucial role in the functioning of these centres.

UNICEF and several other non-governmental organizations also contributed actively to this initiative.

Following CM Adityanath’s directives, these centres have been equipped with waiting areas, medical rooms, restrooms and other essential facilities to ensure a comfortable experience during the reunification process, the state government said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Prayagraj:

A police officer was suspended on Thursday after a video went viral showing him allegedly mixing ash into the food served at a Bhandara (community feast) for devotees at the Maha Kumbh Mela here.

Action was taken against the Station House Officer (SHO) of Soraon, Brijesh Kumar Tiwari, after the video surfaced on social media, said DCP (Ganga Nagar) Kuldeep Singh Gunawat.

In the footage, a police officer is seen adding ash to the food being prepared over a stove.

A user posted the video on social media platform X tagging the DCP Ganga Nagar’s account and demanding strict action against the officer for this “shameful act.” In response, the official account of DCP Ganga Nagar replied: “Taking cognizance of the matter, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ganga Nagar) has suspended the Soraon SHO based on a report from ACP Soraon. Departmental proceedings are underway.” The video was also shared by Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on social media, urging the public to take note of it.

“It is unfortunate that the good efforts of those who are making arrangements to provide food and water to those stranded at the Maha Kumbh are being scuttled due to political animosity. The public should take notice!” the former UP Chief Minister said.

With the ongoing Maha Kumbh, which has seen millions of pilgrims coming to Prayagraj, a number of individuals, groups, and organizations have set up community kitchens to offer free or affordable meals to the visiting devotees.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)