Sindh to probe suicides in Kolhi community
Tharparkar saw at least 18 suicides in May alone
PHOTO: REUTERS
HYDERABAD:
Pakistan Peoples Party chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has tasked Sindh chief minister's special assistant Veerji Kolhi with investigating the causes of increasing suicides among the Kolhi community.
Addressing a press conference in Chambarh, Mirpurkhas district, on Sunday, Kolhi said that 70 per cent to 80 per cent of those who committed suicide last year belonged to the Kolhi community.
He had earlier condoled with the family of two brothers who had taken their lives on May 30, months after their elder brother and mother had reportedly done the same.
"A proper investigation into the causes of the suicides is indispensable if society is to get rid of this growing menace," asserted Kolhi, adding that they had formed committees within the community to look into the matter.
According to him, attributing a single cause to the suicides was not justifiable. "Painting all suicides in one colour won't help us ascertain the reasons and address them," he said, adding that in such cases, families also often covered up the motivations at hand. "Often we are told by the families that the state of mental health prompted their loved one to take their life."
Giving assurances of the provincial government's support, he said they aimed to shed light on the documented reasons for such suicides soon. He added that the government's minority development fund would be used to support the families of the deceased.
A hotspot in Tharparkar
The desert region of Tharparkar has reported the highest number of suicides in Sindh, with 18 men and women committing suicide in the district in May alone. The majority of victims are young women.
Those committing suicide included members of the minority Hindu community as well as seven Muslims. The youngest to take her life was a 10-year-old girl.
Domestic violence, poverty, unemployment, inability to marry persons of their choice and poor health have surfaced as some of the reasons for these incidents. Often, the police, instead of probing the causes more deeply, close the case after confirming suicide.
Meanwhile, three people took their lives in other parts of Sindh on Sunday. The body of a woman who jumped in a waterway in Khairpur district along with her young son was found on Monday. The boy was rescued by people who witnessed the incident.
Separately, a 35-year-old woman reportedly killed herself by consuming poison in Faridabad. The police stated that according to her family, her mental health was unstable.
Moreover, a 39-year-old man hanged himself from the ceiling of his room in Haji Faqeer village, Thatta district. His family stated that he had been in despair after being unable to work during the lockdown.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 2nd, 2020.
Pakistan Peoples Party chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has tasked Sindh chief minister's special assistant Veerji Kolhi with investigating the causes of increasing suicides among the Kolhi community.
Addressing a press conference in Chambarh, Mirpurkhas district, on Sunday, Kolhi said that 70 per cent to 80 per cent of those who committed suicide last year belonged to the Kolhi community.
He had earlier condoled with the family of two brothers who had taken their lives on May 30, months after their elder brother and mother had reportedly done the same.
"A proper investigation into the causes of the suicides is indispensable if society is to get rid of this growing menace," asserted Kolhi, adding that they had formed committees within the community to look into the matter.
According to him, attributing a single cause to the suicides was not justifiable. "Painting all suicides in one colour won't help us ascertain the reasons and address them," he said, adding that in such cases, families also often covered up the motivations at hand. "Often we are told by the families that the state of mental health prompted their loved one to take their life."
Giving assurances of the provincial government's support, he said they aimed to shed light on the documented reasons for such suicides soon. He added that the government's minority development fund would be used to support the families of the deceased.
A hotspot in Tharparkar
The desert region of Tharparkar has reported the highest number of suicides in Sindh, with 18 men and women committing suicide in the district in May alone. The majority of victims are young women.
Those committing suicide included members of the minority Hindu community as well as seven Muslims. The youngest to take her life was a 10-year-old girl.
Domestic violence, poverty, unemployment, inability to marry persons of their choice and poor health have surfaced as some of the reasons for these incidents. Often, the police, instead of probing the causes more deeply, close the case after confirming suicide.
Meanwhile, three people took their lives in other parts of Sindh on Sunday. The body of a woman who jumped in a waterway in Khairpur district along with her young son was found on Monday. The boy was rescued by people who witnessed the incident.
Separately, a 35-year-old woman reportedly killed herself by consuming poison in Faridabad. The police stated that according to her family, her mental health was unstable.
Moreover, a 39-year-old man hanged himself from the ceiling of his room in Haji Faqeer village, Thatta district. His family stated that he had been in despair after being unable to work during the lockdown.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 2nd, 2020.