Report shows reasons why 96 people took their own lives in Umerkot

• In 2021, around 96 people, including 40 women, took their own lives in Umerkot, Sindh.
• Getting married at young age and blackmailing through social media were two main reasons, per report.
• Usage of drugs among men, domestic issues, poverty, and sexual harassment were also motives for suicide. 

UMERKOT: During the year 2021, around 96 people, including 40 women, took their own lives in Umerkot, Geo News reported Wednesday. 

According to a report published by an NGO, the majority of the victims were married.

Getting married at a young age and being blackmailed through social media for various reasons were the two main reasons which led to the spurt in the suicide cases, per the report. 

Early marriages, misuse of social media

The researcher, Sardar Bhaio, said people were being blackmailed on social media, adding that "many people wrote letters before taking their lives" in which they revealed that social media was the reason. 

"Parents are marrying off their children at a young age without their consent which is why the suicide rate has been increasing," he added. 

The report further added that suicide cases are not usually reported as families think it would be "disgraceful" for them.

On the other hand, police suspect many suicide cases to be murders which stops people from reporting these cases. 

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Umerkot Mukhtiar Khaskheli said that the police probes the matter if the reason for death is unnatural, adding that "the police registers a first information report (FIR) upon confirming that the cause of death."

The report also stated that usage of drugs among men, domestic issues, poverty, and sexual harassment are the motives for suicide. 

— Thumbnail image: AFP/File