A 14-year-old boy, who was reportedly depressed over lack of employment opportunities for his brother because of denial of Special Category Status (SCS) to the State and other family issues, committed suicide at his residence at Jaladurgam in Pyapili mandal late on Monday night.
The boy was identified as Mahendra, a Class 10 dropout. He was reportedly unhappy over the financial difficulties being faced by his family, which worsened because of his father’s prolonged illness and lack of job opportunities for his elder brother.
In a suicide note he had purportedly written, Mahendra said granting SCS to the State would ensure jobs to many unemployed youth like his brother.
APCC president N. Raghuveera Reddy, accompanied by former MLA Kotla Sujathamma, visited the boy’s residence and consoled the family members on Tuesday. Urging people to refrain from taking the extreme step, Mr. Reddy said such acts would not yield anything.
‘Fight for rights’
“The boy hoped that his death could bring job to his brother. None should commit suicide. Instead, people should join hands and fight for their rights,” Mr. Reddy said.
He demanded that the government announce ₹20 lakh ex gratia to the next of kin of the deceased and offer employment to the boy’s brother. Later in the evening, AICC president Rahul Gandhi presented a cheque for ₹1 lakh to the bereaved family members.