(Dehradun, NTI): Uttarakhand Police is known for its various initiatives that have garnered appreciation on major platforms. Whether efficiently managing pilgrims during the Char Dham Yatra or rescuing stranded individuals and ensuring their safe return home, the state police have consistently displayed professionalism. One such initiative, Operation Smile, which has even been praised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, focuses on reuniting missing persons with their families. First launched in 2015, the operation has helped bring countless lost individuals back to their loved ones. Today, the Uttarakhand Police has relaunched Operation Smile for the next two months.
A Look Back at Operation Smile’s Success
Since its inception in 2015, Operation Smile has been conducted 13 times. In 2024 alone, the operation was carried out from May 1st to June 30th, during which 1,370 missing persons were reunited with their families. Over the years, the operation has seen remarkable success: by June 2024, a total of 5,981 missing individuals had been located, including 2,951 children, 1,721 women, and 1,309 men.
Uttarakhand Police’s Efforts to Reunite Families
Uttarakhand, being a state with significant foot traffic from various parts of the country and abroad, often faces cases of missing persons. For this phase of Operation Smile, the police department has designated Vishakha Ashok Bhadane, Superintendent of Police (Crime), as the nodal officer from police headquarters. At the district level, Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) or Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) have been appointed as nodal officers to oversee the operation.
Dedicated Teams for Operation Smile
In the districts of Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, Dehradun, and Nainital, five search teams have been formed. In the remaining districts, one search team per district has been established, each consisting of one sub-inspector and four constables. Every team includes a female police officer to assist in the questioning of recovered children and women, ensuring sensitive handling of such cases.
Assistance from Other Departments
In addition to the police teams, legal and technical teams have also been formed to support the operation. Various departments and organizations such as the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Social Welfare Department, Women and Child Development Department, Health and Family Welfare Department, Prosecution Department, Labor Department, shelter homes, NGOs, and Child Helpline are also providing assistance to ensure the operation’s success.
Key Objectives of Operation Smile
The core objectives of Operation Smile include:
- Conducting proper inquiries with recovered children and women
- Taking strict legal action if any crimes are discovered in connection with recovered individuals
- Making all possible efforts to locate individuals who have been missing since 2017
- Matching missing persons with unidentified bodies found in the state or neighboring regions
- Following proper procedures for the rehabilitation or handover of found individuals
- Searching for missing individuals from other districts, in addition to those within their own districts
Operation Smile continues to be a vital initiative in Uttarakhand’s efforts to protect its citizens and reunite missing persons with their families. With the collaboration of various departments and organizations, the operation promises to bring hope and relief to countless families across the state.
