Human Rights Commission Issues Notice To Kerala Over Rising Suicide Rate Among Tribals In Thiruvananthapuram

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has requested a response from the Kerala government concerning reports of a high suicide rate among the tribal people in the Peringammala Panchayat, located in the Thiruvananthapuram district.

Upon recognising a news item, the Commission initiated proceedings on its own accord and dispatched notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP), requesting a detailed report. The respective state authorities have been granted a fortnight to submit their responses.

A formal declaration from the NHRC stated that if the development is accurate, it signifies a grave concern pertaining to the right to life, as well as the social, economic, and cultural rights of individuals from Scheduled Tribes living in a specific region in Kerala.

The commission highlighted the news report's revelation of a distressing surge in suicides among the tribal population residing in the region, with approximately 23 fatalities recorded in the year 2024 alone, Indian Express reported.

"Suicides by young people belonging to a vulnerable section of society is indeed an issue relating to violation of human rights which requires the immediate attention of the government agencies," the notice said.

The NHRC urged the state to ensure the safety and security of every citizen under its jurisdiction and asked for information on the measures implemented or proposed to prevent such incidents from recurring.

It mentioned a report stating that approximately 138 incidents, primarily in the Peringammala Panchayat in the district, occurred between 2011 and 2022. After two years of relative peace, the series of suicides has once again started to disturb the tribal settlements in the district, according to the statement.