Madhesh Province Sees Alarming Rise in Suicides, Data Reveals

‍Janakpurdham. The incidence of suicide is becoming dire in Madhesh Province. According to police statistics, 3-4 people commit suicide daily in Madhesh Province.

According to data provided by the Police Headquarters, 3,348 people have committed suicide in approximately three years. In the current fiscal year alone, 793 people have committed suicide, including 282 men, 304 women, and 207 children. Among children, the number of girls is higher. As of the current fiscal year, 172 girls have committed suicide.

Siraha district has the highest number of suicides in the current fiscal year, with 134 people. Similarly, 112 people committed suicide in Dhanusha, 111 in Sarlahi, and 109 in Rautahat. Parsa district has the lowest number. In the current fiscal year, 69 people committed suicide in Parsa. In Saptari, 88 people committed suicide, 77 in Mahottari, and 93 in Bara.

In the fiscal year 2081/082, a total of 1,261 people committed suicide. In that year, 478 men, 472 women, and 311 children committed suicide. Among the 311 children, 246 were girls.

According to the data, in this fiscal year, Dhanusha had the highest number of suicides with 207, and Parsa had the lowest with 109. Similarly, Sarlahi had 202, Siraha 187, Mahottari 146, Bara 143, Rautahat 142, and Saptari 130 suicides.

In the fiscal year 2080/081, police data shows a total of 1,294 suicides. In this fiscal year, the number of men committing suicide is higher. This year, 556 men, 470 women, and 268 children committed suicide. Among the 268 children, 201 were girls.

In this fiscal year, Sarlahi had the highest number of suicides with 206, and Saptari had the lowest with 117. Similarly, Siraha had 200, Dhanusha 160, Mahottari 132, Rautahat 191, Bara 165, and Parsa 123 suicides.

In cases of abetment to suicide, 499 people have been arrested in the last three fiscal years, including the current fiscal year. DIG Govinda Thapaliya, Chief of Madhesh Police Office, informed that 114 people were arrested and prosecuted in the current fiscal year, 188 in fiscal year 2081/082, and 197 in fiscal year 2080/081.

The statistics clearly show that suicide incidents in Madhesh Province have recently emerged as a serious social problem. Research indicates that unemployment, mental stress, family disputes, dowry system, and relationships outside of love and marriage are the main causes of suicide.

According to Arjun Khatiwada, an investigation officer at the District Police Office, Dhanusha, the number of men committing suicide is higher than women. According to him, the main problems for women in Madhesh are the dowry system, domestic violence, mental stress, and domestic disputes. Similarly, he stated that the tendency for men to commit suicide due to unemployment, problems in marital relationships, drug and alcohol abuse, and family stress is increasing.

It appears that unemployment and family disputes are causing significant mental pressure on men, especially in the Terai-Madhesh region. Khatiwada stated that this leads them to depression and ultimately suicide.

Similarly, children and adolescents are not immune to this problem. He said that suicide incidents are increasing due to reasons such as falling into love relationships before reaching the appropriate age, families rejecting the relationship, or forcing them into marriage elsewhere. He noted that drug abuse and love affairs are the main reasons for suicide among children in investigations.

Fakira Mahato, Minister of Home, Communication, and Law for Madhesh Province, stated that suicide has become a major social problem in Madhesh. He said that suicides are occurring due to family problems, economic problems, and mental issues. He emphasized that all three levels of government must take initiatives in their respective areas to reduce such incidents.

According to Minister Mahato, the role of local governments is most important and effective in reducing suicide incidents. He stated that everyone's cooperation and mutual collaboration are necessary for this.

Raju Pasman, Madhesh Province Chief of INSEC, said that the situation of suicide in Madhesh is dire compared to other provinces. He clarified that such incidents are also occurring due to poverty, misuse of social media, and love affairs (especially inter-caste).

He said,