PONDA: Ponda has seen a 30% rise in suicide death cases in the first half of 2011, as compared to such cases registered in the corresponding period in 2010.
Data from Ponda police states that 27 persons committed suicide in the first six months of 2011. This is an increase of six cases, as the first six months of 2010 witnessed 21 suicide cases. The number of men committing suicide has outnumbered women once again. Out of 27 suicides, eight persons have been women, while 19 were men. In 2010, out of 21 cases, three persons were women, and 18 were men. Statistics further reveal that 70% of those persons committing suicide were between 15 years and 44 years of age. Among the 27 persons who committed suicide between January and June this year, 20 were in the age group of 15-44 years. Four persons were between 45 and 54 years of age, two persons were between 55 and 70 years of age, and one person was 11-years-old. Another alarming fact is that five students aged between 11 years and 20 years, committed suicide in a span of 60 days. Month-wise, statistics reveal that January saw no suicide cases registered. February witnessed five suicide cases, March saw seven, while four cases were registered during the months of April and May, respectively. Ponda police registered seven suicide cases in June. Most of the suicides were committed by hanging. Of the 27 cases registered this year, 19 persons hung themselves to death. Three persons ended their lives through drowning, two committed suicide using poison, two set themsleves afire, while one person jumped to her death from a building.
