MEERUT: Devotees gathered for Ganga snan during Kartik Purnima Mela were shocked to find large quantities of medicines floating on the river. A video of the incident at Mandu Ghat in Uttar Pradeshs Bulandshahr was widely circulated on social media on Saturday.Arvind Kumar (32), a resident of Anupshahar who had come with his family and fellow villagers for the holy dip, said, "We were taken aback to find packaged medicines and syrup bottles strewn across the Ganga riverbanks.These appeared to be government-supplied medicines and vaccines. We immediately alerted local police."Another resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed these medicines were discarded from a nearby Combined Health Centre. However, health officials declined to comment on these allegations, stating an investigation is under way.Dr Vinay Kumar Singh, Chief Medical Officer, Bulandshahr, said the samples have been collected for examination. "Preliminary investigation indicate these medicines were packed and partially burnt. It seems they were disposed of secretly. We have formed a team to investigate and submit a report. Appropriate action will be taken against those responsible," he said.Despite special efforts by the district administration to clean the Ghats ahead of the Kartik Purnima Ganga Snan Mela, the discarded medicines in such large quantities shows negligence on the part of authorities or individuals involved.The Kartik Purnima Ganga Snan Mela, often termed the Mini Kumbh of North India, is a significant event celebrated on the Ganga riverbanks. This annual fair, held in Garh Mukhteshwar of UPs Hapur district, adjacent to Bulandshahr, draws over 30 lakh devotees each year. People from Delhi, Meerut, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and neighbouring areas gather at the banks, erecting tents on the sandy riverbed and participating in festivities.

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