Operation Muskaan: Facial recognition helps Cyberabad cops unite missing boy with family

Hyderabad: The Cyberabad Police rescued a missing boy using facial recognition software. The boy, Prajwal, son of Shivraj, is nine years old and had been missing since June 29, 2023. He was found on July 21 at an orphanage in Madhuranagar, Serilingampally.

The Cyberabad Police launched Operation Muskaan IX to rescue and rehabilitate homeless children and those forced into child labour. As part of the operation, the police were using facial recognition software to identify missing children.

According to Chandanagar inspector, D Palavelli, “Children who had wandered away from their homes will be kept safe at the state home for missing children. The Muskaan team travels across the state, visiting each home twice every year. If they find any missing child whose photos match their records, they promptly rescue them, contact their parents and help them reunite.”

“Likewise, on July 21, a team from Operation Muskaan came to Chandanagar police station to upload missing children into the facial recognition software. One of the boys uploaded was Prajwa, who was rehabilitated at the home after he was found on the streets,” said Palavelli.

Acting promptly, the Miyapur Police Patrol Mobile located Prajwal at the Aashri society home in Madhuranagar, Serilingampally.

Inspector Palavelli added, “Prajwal had gone out to play on June 29, at around 11:20 am, but did not return home. Prajwal’s mental condition is not good and he cannot speak properly. He had left home without informing anyone in the past. His aunt had filed a missing person’s report at Chandanagar police station.”

Operation Muskaan

Operation Muskaan is a special effort, led by the Cyberabad Police and spearheaded by Cyberabad Commissioner Stephen Raveendra, to find and help children who are lost or forced to work. They use a special app called Darpan with pictures to identify them. The police team visits homes twice a year and if they find a missing child, they return the child safely to their parents. This operation helps rescue and protect vulnerable children, allowing them a better future.