THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A recent study made by the State Crime Records Bureau has made a shocking revelation regarding the number of suicides committed by policemen in recent years. According to the study, 45 policemen have committed suicide in the last five years.

The report says that while the years 2014 and 2015 had 9 and 6 suicide cases respectively, 2016 saw the number reaching 13. It then became 14 in 2014. It is said that the study recorded the events till March 2018 and the number would further increase to 50 if the recent suicides are counted.

As per the report, work stress is cited as the main reason behind most suicide cases. It must be noted that though the state DGP had appointed a committee to study the issue of work stress, no further actions were taken to rectify it.

Some of the recent suicides include that of DYSP Harikumar who committed the murder of youth following an altercation. Though yoga and counseling have been suggested to reduce work stress, recent events prove that they are unable to provide the desired result. The study also made note of the fact that several policemen even took refuge in alcohol and drugs in order to relieve stress, which eventually led to their suicides.

According to the study, the majority of these suicide cases involve policemen at local stations which suggest that authorities are failing to take care of the welfare and needs of the police force.