Mangalore, September 9: On Monday night September 8th, a woman attempted suicide with her child, by leaping into River Nandini from Pavanje Bridge near Haleangady on the national highway in the taluk. The woman was saved by some youth who plunged into the river but child is dead after being swept away by strong water currents.
It is learnt that; Geetha, wife of Divakar Jois from Shirva Manchakal in Udupi district had plunged into the river with her son, Dheeraj who was 42-months-old. Geetha, was rescued by some locals who saw her jumping into the river, got her admitted into a private hospital in Mukka. Since she was provided with first aid followed by regular treatment immediately; she survived and is out of danger.
In her statement given to Mulky police Geetha hass revealed that Ramanath Jois, elder brother of her husband and husband’s sister, Malati, used to torture her and her children both mentally and physically, which drove her to take this extreme step. She said her husband works as delivery boy for newspapers and milk sachets. ‘I was frustrated and depressed as I was facing harassment. On Monday, Sompu (harvest festival) was celebrated at home. As the torture continued even on a festive day, I could not bear it any longer and started in a bus towards Mangalore; got down from the bus near Pavanje temple, reached the bridge and dived into the river with the intension of ending my frustrated life. My elder son, Deepak (9) refused to accompany me.
Geetha is now repenting for the hasty decision which resulted in the death of an innocent life.
Some youths who had watched Geetha loitering around the bridge, had warned her to stay away from the edge of the bridge. However, when they returned by the same road within minutes, they saw that the lady had suddenly jumped into the river. Rajesh, Praveen, Anish and Sunil, all from Pavanje village and members of local organization, ‘Om Friends’, as well as Haleangady gram panchayat member, Soorya Kanchan, jumped into the river and succeeded in saving Geetha. Soorya Kanchan, who led the operation, revealed that the mortal remains of the child was found near Arand some distance away after sometime.
Mulky Cops have registered a case and investigations are on.
