Sirajganj records 120 suicides in 6 months

SIRAJGANJ, July 30:  Suicides are rising at an alarming rate in Sirajganj, where at least 120 people took their own lives in the first six months of this year, according to police data.

The figures show that 68 men and 52 women died by suicide between January and June, averaging about 20 deaths a month or nearly five a week. Most of those who died were aged between 20 and 35, although several teenage girls aged 13 to 18 were also among the victims.

Police and educationists attribute the trend to a combination of factors, including family disputes, financial hardship, psychological distress, social isolation, relationship problems, inability to cope with emotional stress, and harassment on social media.

Professor Mahidul Hasan, Principal of Sirajganj Government College, said the growing number of suicides should be treated as a serious warning.

He said people in extended families once received emotional support during difficult times, but changing family structures and reduced social interaction have left many struggling alone with their problems. He also cited unemployment, social pressures and uncertainty about the future as factors contributing to despair among young people.

He stressed the importance of open communication within families, spending more time with children, maintaining supportive relationships and paying greater attention to mental wellbeing. He added that preventing suicide requires coordinated efforts by families, educational institutions and society.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Saiful Islam Santu described every suicide as tragic and said the current rate in the district was deeply concerning.

He said police speak with family members while investigating each case and often find that victims made impulsive decisions during temporary crises.

"If someone had stood beside them at the right time, many of these lives might have been saved," he said.

The SP said district police have been conducting awareness programmes, discussions, counselling sessions and outreach campaigns at educational institutions as part of efforts to prevent suicide. He urged community leaders and other stakeholders to become more actively involved.

Former principal of Sirajganj Government Rashidazzoha Women's College Professor Md Akhtaruzzaman also called the six-month statistics a warning sign, saying suicide prevention requires not only administrative efforts but also broader public awareness and timely psychological support.

He said listening to people in distress and ensuring they receive appropriate emotional support could help prevent many deaths.