Suicides, domestic violence peaked during lockdown: City police

Ludhiana: There has been a big spike in the number of suicides and domestic violence cases in the city during lockdown as per a report of city police. In suicides cases, depression has been found to be the main reason, followed by domestic violence and financial problem. While from January to March not even a single suicide was reported due to stress related to studies, as many as six suicides in the age group of 17 years to 25 years were reported amid lockdown.
In the first three months of this year, as many as 867 domestic violence related distress calls were received on 112 and 1091 helpline numbers. However, in the three months of lockdown, these complaints have gone up to 1,476. Simultaneously, hike is seen in the number of suicide cases too. From January 1 to March 30 a total 61 suicides were reported, however, from April 1 to June 15 total 102 suicides were reported in the city.
Deputy commissioner of police (headquarters) Akhil Chaudhary said, “If we talk about the spike in the domestic violence cases, there is a possibility that due to Covid-19 the woman are not going to police stations and are making complaints only online. However, still there is a huge increase in the number of complaints being received.”
“In suicide cases too, there is a rise from 61 suicides, including 46 males and 15 females, to 102 suicides, including 76 males and 26 females. Among these, the maximum reason for suicide is depression, followed by domestic violence, financial problem, medical problem, study issue, unemployment, drug addiction and debt. The data also suggests that the suicidal tendency is increasing among people in the age group of 30-40 years,” he added.
The DCP further said, “A total 58 persons have committed suicide amid lockdown due to depression and their age group is from between 9 to 80 years. 17 persons in the age group of 19 years to 40 years have committed suicide due to domestic violence, eight people, aged between 28 years to 50 years, have ended their life due to financial problem, eight in the age group of 42 years to 58 years have committed suicide due to medical issues, six in the age group of 17 years to 25 years have committed suicide for study issues, two due to unemployment by people aged between 38-40 years, two due to drug addiction by people aged between 25-34 years and one due to debt.
According to experts, the cause of suicides before lockdown was again depression with maximum 33 suicides, followed by eight for medical problems, seven for domestic violence, seven due to financial issues, four due to unemployment and two suicides due to drug addiction.