Srinagar, June 29 : Kashmir has witnessed an increase in suicides as eight people lost their lives in 20 days.
These figures are about only the cases that were reported while the unreported ones go undocumented.
In the recent past several people including some girls attempted suicide. The increased incidence of suicide attempts, particularly among the Kashmiri youth, has become a serious concern for the people.
The latest incident came to the fore on Sunday when a 23-year-old girl from New Colony Sopore attempted suicide.
A police official told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that she attempted to commit suicide by injuring herself with knife.
“She has stabbed herself with a sharp knife. She was treated at Hospital in Sopore and later discharged. A case has been registered and investigation set in motion,” the official said.
The official said it is the responsibility of every one to prevent suicide attempts. “Anxiety has increased for the last few months. We should not allow depression to take over. Some NGOs are also making an effort by counselling people how to overcome anxiety,” the official added.
According to police official they are trying to ascertain the reason behind why she attempted to suicide. “We are making all efforts to prevent people from attempting suicide,” he said.
He however said responsibility lies on each and every member of society to help each other to overcome depression.
Recently, another girl threatened to commit suicide in Sopore. While taking to micro blogging site twitter she said that she will commit suicide by jumping into river Jehlum in protest against alleged harassment by army and the police.
Taking cognizance of the social media post, senior officers of Sopore Police rushed to the house of the girl along with some respectable citizens of the area.
“The family concealed the whereabouts of the girl but acting professionally and putting in hard efforts, our team traced the girl who was hiding in the backyard of the house,” the police official said.
Later, a case was registered by the police.
As per data available with KINS, in the last 20 days, eight persons including a soldier ended their lives by taking extreme steps in Kashmir division.
As per data, on June 11, a 35-year-old man from South Kashmir’s Anantnag village ended his life by hanging self in his home.
Similarly, on June 18, a CRPF man committed suicide by shooting self in Awantipora in south Kashmir.
An elderly man from Handwara area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara committed suicide by hanging self on June 21. On June 23, a 26-year-old youth ended his life by hanging himself in Mandipora area of south Kashmir’s Ananthnag district.
Two cousins committed suicide by consuming poison in Handwara on June 23.
June 24, a 22-year-old youth hanged himself to death in Tangmerg area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
On June 25, a 21-year-old youth ends life by committed suicide in Sopore town.
Experts believe that first aid for mental health should also become a part of the curriculum in schools and colleges.
“We need to therefore empower educators, parents and other primary caregivers, who are regularly engaged with young people to be able to provide guidance in times of need,” a doctor at Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital, said.
“Parental pressure, tough competition in studies and career, lack of moral and religious education are the main reasons for these suicidal attempts among youth,” the doctor added.(Agencies)
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