AFZAL HUSSAIN FAUJI / Nainital
Located in the heart of the city, the Naini lake is considered sacred and one of the major tourist attractions around which Nainital has developed. However, with three bodies being recovered from the lake during the span of one week has raised concerns about public safety, the need for awareness on suicide prevention and monitoring of deserted spots. Three bodies were recovered from the lake in recent days. The police sent the bodies for post mortem examination and began probes in the cases. Preliminary inquiries point towards these being suicide cases.
Superintendent of police (Crime) Jagdish Chandra said that three incidents have come to light during the past week in which people committed suicide by jumping into the Naini lake. Along with necessary legal action, the police are also trying to ascertain the reasons which push people into taking such extreme steps. Since the Thandi Sadak stretch remains comparatively deserted, the police have decided to step up patrolling in the area. The police will aim to keep a watch on those found moving about in a suspicious manner so that they can be taken to a safe place in time. In many cases, factors like depression, financial issues, tensions in a relationship and other personal problems can push a person into committing suicide. However, the actual reasons behind such extreme actions need to be ascertained by an investigation, he said.
Psychiatrist at the BD Pandey district hospital, Dr Garima Kandpal said that a single factor is not always behind a suicide. Various factors like depression, anxiety, financial problems, relationship stress, family dispute and despair about the future can mentally weaken a person. If a person repeatedly talks about suicide, remains consistently sad or hopeless, starts maintaining distance from others or displays a sudden change in behaviour, such signs should not be ignored, she said. “The role of the family is most important in such situations. Family members should talk candidly to such a person, listen patiently and make the person feel that he or she is not alone. One should consult a psychiatrist or mental health expert if a person displays suicidal tendencies,” Kandpal added.
