Rise in suicides forces govt to put up fence on Jhelum bridge

The state government here has started the fencing work at the Amira Kadal bridge on the Jhelum river as the Valley has lately seen a rise in suicide rates. It was only on Wednesday that a body of a 19-year-old girl was fished out from the surrounding waters.

The state government here has started the fencing work at the Amira Kadal bridge on the Jhelum river as the Valley has lately seen a rise in suicide rates. It was only on Wednesday that a body of a 19-year-old girl was fished out from the surrounding waters. The girl had committed suicide by jumping into the river on March 19.

HT Image

“In order to avoid any untoward incidents on the bridge in future, we have started fencing the sides of the Amira Kadal Bridge, which is one of the busiest stretches in the Srinagar city,” said Razdan. The fence, besides the railing, is about 7 feet high.

“We want to prevent people from committing suicides by jumping into the river,” said engineer roads and building superintendent SK Razdan. The fencing has also come as a relief to the hawkers lining the bridge.
However, Police Rehab center psychiatrist Dr Muzaffar Ahmed said, “Mere fencing will not stop suicides in Kashmir. Intervention is needed both at the home and society levels.

“The government should address problems of people and should provide counselors if necessary,” said Muzaffar.

“The government should look into the matter sensitively as it is grave issue” said Asim Ahmed, a university student.