a day ago
Suicide prank triggers Meta alert, sends Kaushambi cops into a tizzy
Prayagraj: Kaushambi police went into a tizzy on Monday evening after the Meta Inc flashed an alert about a 20-year-old youth planning to commit suicide by consuming pesticide in the city.
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However, when the police tracked him down, it turned out to be a prank. SP (Kaushambi) Rajesh Kumar told TOI that Meta's global monitoring system flagged a Instagram post from the youth in Pipri police station limits.
He uploaded a video message saying 'aaj raat is zahar ko piyunga aur kahani khatam meri' (I will consume this poison tonight and end my life), showing a wrapper of a pesticide cover. Meta immediately sent an alert email to the UP police social media centre in Lucknow.
Taking cognisance, the state police social media cell provided all details to Kaushambi police, and subsequently, SP (Kaushambi) issued instructions to trace and rescue the individual. Based on the mobile number and geolocation provided by Meta, the cops searched the location and alerted concerned thana cops to take action. Within 10 minutes, a team of Pipri police rushed to the youth's residence in Gauhar Ali Ka Purwa Mazra.
The youth, a graduate and currently working for a Maharashtra-based company, told police that it was just a prank. He said he had on Monday afternoon gone to his father's rice field, where he spotted his father spraying pesticide.
He then picked up the cover of the pesticide bottle and decided to upload the video on Instagram.
With the help of family members, sub-inspector AK Pandey counselled the youth, who promised not to repeat the act in future.
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The youth's family expressed gratitude to cops for their swift and humane action.
It may be noted that under the collaborative system in place between Meta and Uttar Pradesh Police since 2022, any suicide-related post made on Facebook or Instagram triggers an email and call alert to UP Police. This initiative helped save the lives of many people in the state.
