Even as Sikkim brings laurels as the best performing State in the country in several areas, the State have been crippled by the rise in suicide cases. Sikkim ranks first among all states in the North Eastern States in suicide rates and fourth in the country.
According to the latest data of National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), Sikkim records 20.7 percent, which is the highest amongst all the North Eastern states followed by Tripura with 20.3 percent. The other states such as Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya records an average of below 10 percent.
On an average almost more than five cases of suicides are reported in the news every month which comprises victims below the age of 40 years. According to Sikkim crime branch, about 120 suicide cases were reported in 2004, 115 in 2005 and 121 in 2006, which are alarmingly high figure for a small state like Sikkim with a population of nearly six lakhs. The crime branch had analysed the cases, which occurred during July and December 2006 to assess the reason for this prevalence of high suicide rate. The report stated that 60 suicides were committed during the period and the major reasons were mental illness and depression followed by family problems, drug addiction, prolonged illness, failure in examinations and love affairs. The report further revealed that 35 per cent people committed suicide due to mental illness, 13.33 per cent each due to family problem and alcohol addiction, 10 per cent counted for prolonged illness and five per cent took this drastic step after failing in the exams. The East district topped the list with 27 cases followed by South district 17, West district 13 and North 13. Out of the 60 at least 39 were males and the rest were females.
Talking to SIKKIM EXPRESS, the Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch ST Bhutia, the sparse population and the equal police public ratio is one of the factors which make the suicidal case more visible due to high proximity. The head of Department of Sociology of Sikkim University Otojit Kshetrimayum said the rapid modernization taking place in the state of Sikkim is one of the reasons for the alarming growth in the suicide rates. However, the lack of emotional security amongst the parents towards the children is also one of the major factors, he said. Opining for counselling to bring about massive awareness among the general masses, Mr Kshetrimayum said it was high time for the religious institutions, educational institution and NGO’s to play a pro active role in educating the people on the issue.
Dr CL Pradhan, the neuro-psychiatrist of STNM hospital told SIKKIM EXPRESS that most of the suicidal cases in the State were the result of substance abuse, narcotics and alcohol use while stressful life and the mental illness also contributes partially in it.
Explaining the reason of young people involving in the act, Dr. Pradhan said high expectations of the parents from their children can also enable students to take the lethal steps of suicide.
He further said that the mental illness in the people shows high risk of suicidal tendency. Hinting that the people identified with unnatural and abnormal behaviour should be immediately referred to the nearest hospital, Dr Pradhan said awareness from the ground level is the need of an hour.