Over 30,000 people in Gujarat committed suicide in 5 years

The Gujarat government on Monday stated in the Assembly that as on March 2013, more than 30,000 people committed suicide across the state in five years.

Replying to a question of Congress MLA Tejashree Patel, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, who handles the home department, stated in a written reply that 30,489 people ended their lives between 2008-13, adding that 2,529 people attempted to commit suicide during the same period.

Figures provided by her suggested that 6,181 people ended their lives in 2008-09, 5,779 people killed themselves in 2009-10, 5,787 people took their lives in 2010-11, 6,134 killed themselves in 2011-12 and 6,608 people ended their lives during 2012-13.

Replying to the sub-question of what the Gujarat government did to stop such incidents, Patel stated that a separate helpline number 1091 was set up by the government to provide counselling.

She added that a continuous vigil is being kept near canals, rivers and railway tracks to stop people from ending their lives.