LUCKNOW: In a swift operation, the Uttar Pradesh Police rescued a 38-year-old man from Etawah district within nine minutes of receiving information about his suicidal social media post, officials confirmed.
Incident Details
The incident occurred on the night of May 21–22 when a resident of the Jaswantnagar area in Etawah posted an emotional message on Facebook. The post, triggered by a prolonged domestic dispute with his wife, indicated his intention to end his life.
Meta Alert System
At around 12:31 am, Meta sent an automated suicide-risk alert via email to the Social Media Centre at the office of the Director General of Police (DGP), Uttar Pradesh, in Lucknow. Acting on the directions of DGP Rajeev Krishna, officials traced the man’s mobile phone location and immediately shared the details with Etawah Police.
Swift Police Response
A police team from Jaswantnagar police station reached the man’s residence within nine minutes, only to find that he had already left. The team began searching and spotted him walking towards an orchard. Officers persuaded him to return home and provided counselling.
“During counselling, the man broke down and told the police team that prolonged domestic disputes had pushed him into severe emotional distress and he had lost hope. He admitted that after uploading the post, he left home intending to take the extreme step in the nearby orchard area. Timely intervention by the police, triggered through the Meta alert system and rapid coordination between the DGP headquarters and Etawah Police, helped save his life before any harm could occur,” said Rahul Srivastava, PRO to the DGP and in-charge of the Uttar Pradesh Police social media cell.
Importance of Alert Systems
This rescue highlights the critical role of automated alert systems in suicide prevention. The collaboration between Meta and law enforcement enabled a rapid response, potentially saving a life. The police urge individuals facing emotional distress to seek help and remind the public that support is available through helplines and counselling services.
