CISF takes steps to curb suicides at Metro stations

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 17

There has been a surge in the number of suicide at Metro stations in the city. According to figures with the CISF on suicide says that till December last year, total 74 persons made suicide attempts, 18 died, 33 got hospitalised, and 11were prevented by the CISF and 12 by others.

The CISF said though they were able to control the number of such incidents in 2016-2017, there has been an upward trend in such attempts at the stations, and the agency has been resorting to new measures to prevent such cases, said Hemendera Singh, CISF PRO.

“Apart from round-the-clock CCTV camera surveillance, we have started training our officials to keep an eye on passengers showing signs of depression and anger. Our officials move around in plain clothes and are trained to stop such incidents,” he said.

In 2017, 248 women passengers in distress were helped. CISF has also dedicated women personnel functioning at DMRC for assistance of women commuters, he said.

Depending on the size and crowd of the stations, a close watch is kept on those who appear depressed, nervous or walk to and away from the brink of the platform many times. If a passenger misses two trains in a row, they come under our surveillance, Singh said.

To keep a tab on the growing attempts, the Delhi Metro has also constituted a special wing to counsel people reportedly spotted with suicidal tendencies.