Suicides, accidents kill more people than terror in Kashmir

Forget militancy,  suicide and road accidents are the biggest killers in Jammu and Kashmir. Figures presented in the Legislative Assembly revealed that 547 cases of suicides were reported in Jammu and Kashmir in the last two years. Similarly, 1749 people were killed in 10160 in road accidents in the last two years in Jammu and Kashmir. 

In a written reply to a starred question by former Speaker and National Conference MLA from Eidgah constituency Mubarak Gul Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti,  who also holds the home portfolio,  said 547 cases of suicides were registered in Jammu and Kashmir in last two years.

Of which  275 cases of suicide were registered in 2017 and 272 cases in 2016. Handwara area of Kashmir witnessed 57 suicides in 2017 compared to 31 in 2016. Similarly, Baramulla recorded 41 suicides in 2017 compared to 23 in 2016. Kargil district of Ladakh region is the only place in Jammu and Kashmir which has zero suicide rate.

Data also revealed that 958 persons died in different road accidents in 2016.  The fatalities in the accidents recorded a sharp fall in 2017  with 791 people losing their lives on state's  killer roads. 

On the other side, around 209 militants were killed in Kashmir during last year,  which is highest since 2010. Around 24 civilians were killed during law and order problems near encounter sites last year.  More than 75 security men were also killed in gunfights across  Kashmir valley last year

Last year  more than 117 local youth  joined the militant ranks in the strife-torn Kashmir valley,  which is the  highest in last seven years