CM intervenes to find ‘missing’ Malaysian woman at Simhastha

A Malaysian woman who came to Ujjain for Simhastha Kumbh and was thought to be missing after the May 5 thunderstorm tragedy has been found safe at a camp of a sadhu.

A Malaysian woman who came to Ujjain for Simhastha Kumbh and was thought to be missing after the May 5 thunderstorm tragedy has been found safe at a camp of a sadhu.

Pilgrim turnout in Ujjain has suddenly increased ahead of the second shahi snan on Monday. (Arun Mondhe/HT photo)

Simhastha authorities launched a search for Alamelu Kandasamy after her India-based relative Esakimuthu posted a message on chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Twitter page expressing concern about her whereabouts.

“Unable to contact Smt Alamelu Kandasamy from Malaysia. She is in Ujjain Kumbh Mela. Her family is worried on hearing accident,” Esakimuthu posted on Twitter on Friday.

Soon, the Kumbh administration swung into action on the CM’s direction and found the woman at Swami Nityananda’s camp on Sadawal Road.

“Dear @emuthutut happy to inform that Mrs Alamelu Kandasamy is in good health and is at Nityananda Ashram in Ujjain,” the CM replied the next morning.

Following this, Esakimuthu thanked Chouhan and the administration for the quick response.

Deputy mela officer SS Rawat told HT that the woman has been staying at Nityananda’s Ashram since May 5.

“After the tragedy struck Simhastha on May 5, her family got worried and tried to contact her but failed. Then they contacted a relative in India who posted the message on Twitter,” he said.

“As police have all the records of foreigners visiting the Kumbh, she was located in no time,” Rawat added.

Second ‘shahi snan’ will test police preparedness

The second shahi snan Monday is going to be a test for the Ujjain police as it has given assurance of pilgrim-friendly traffic arrangement amid resentment among Hindu holy men about mismanagement during the first shahi snan on April 22.

Restriction on vehicular movement within the city was a major reason for low footfall during the first shahi snan or holy dip.

Ujjain zone inspector general of police V Madhu Kumar told HT that traffic arrangements will made according to the situation and the number pilgrims arriving to the city.

Bhupendra Singh, minister in-charge for month-long Simhastha fair, said : “We have made elaborate arrangements to ferry pilgrims from the railway station and bus stands to nearest spots on the river bank.”