3 Palampur youths end life in 2 days

Our Correspondent

Palampur, September 20

The rising number of suicide cases in the state has become a cause for concern. In the past two days, three cases of suicide have been reported in Palampur and its adjoining areas. Two girls aged 14 and 19 years ended their life at Dehan village on Friday, while a 23-year-old youth consumed poison and died in Sungal village.

The situation deteriorated after March after the lockdown. At present, three persons commit suicide in the state every day. In the last six months, 466 suicide cases have been reported — 349 cases were reported from April to July.

In January, 50 cases of suicide were reported in the state, while in June, 112 persons ended their life and 101 persons took the extreme step in July. The cases were higher among women.

A local psychiatrist said the cases of depression, had gone up during the lockdown, adversely affecting the mental health of youths between the age of 18 and 35 years and forcing them to commit suicide.

DSP, Palampur, Amit Sharma said that they had found that most of the suicide cases were related to family disputes, depression, lack of job opportunities and alcoholism.