Separate suicide register in all Himachal police stations

Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 23

The record of all suicides and abetment to suicide cases in the state will now be maintained in a separate register in all police stations to help study the sharp spurt in suicide cases in recent times.

This new practice of creation of a separate register for suicides and abetment to suicide cases in the state will commence from January 2021. Himachal registered an increase of 28.5 per cent in 2017-18 and also touched the national figure of 10.2 suicides per lakh population.

Situation alarming

• Himachal registered an increase of 28.5 per cent in 2017-18 and also touched the national figure of 10.2 suicides per lakh population.
• The rate of suicide per lakh population in Hamirpur, Solan and Kinnaur districts is higher than the national average.
• In the last five years, the number of suicide cases in the state has varied between 560 and 785 per annum, which is almost six to seven times more than murder cases being reported every year.

The rate of suicide per lakh population in Hamirpur, Solan and Kinnaur districts is higher than even the national average. Kangra, Mandi and Shimla, too, have a high suicide rate compared to other districts.

“The creation of the suicide register will help create a data base which can be referred to in future cases also and can be a subject of study during training of police officers. Presently, there is no mechanism to maintain correct data in suicide cases,” said Sanjay Kundu, DGP. He added that every suicide had a ripple effect, dramatically affecting the lives of families, friends and the community at large, hence the need to deal with it more minutely.

A sudden spurt in suicides in the state, which is known for its tranquility and peace-loving people, has become a cause for concern. In the last five years, the number of suicide cases in Himachal has varied between 560 and 785 per annum, which is almost six to seven times more than murder cases being reported in the state every year.

Incidentally, it has been recommended that this suicide register must be included in the syllabi in the training of gazetted, Himachal and Indian Police Service officers. The register number 27 will have the details of all suicide cases in its jurisdiction with the signature of the supervisory officer on each page.

The practice will help in identifying the main reasons for suicides, as the register will record the social, economic, and emotional profile of the victims. The emotional profile will record any past mental health issues, depression or attempt of suicide. The register will also contain the medical and forensic profile details. It will also have the contents or the suicide note, if found after the incident.