A 19-year-old security officer at the Southern Naval Command in Kerala's Kochi, was found shot dead in the early hours of Tuesday. According to the official statement from the Navy, the deceased is identified to be Thushar Attri, a sailor who is a native of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh. According to local police, the death is suspected to be a suicide. He has been found to have got shot from his service rifle, said officials.
The officer was stationed at the watching tower at the Naval Base. "His duty time was from 12 am to 4 am. In between, when other officials tried to contact him through the wireless set, there was no response. He was discovered dead when another officer came checking for him," said an official of the Harbour police station. He added that a case for unnatural death has been taken. As per officials, the bullet injury is found in the head of the deceased officer, and he was found lying holding the rifle.
Meanwhile, the Navy, in a statement said that a statutory board of inquiry has been ordered into the incident. "The sailor was deployed for security duties in the Naval Base. A statutory Board of Inquiry is being ordered. A case of unnatural death has also been registered with the local police station," the statement added. The inquest procedures of the local police have been completed. The mortal remains of the officer will be sent to his family in Uttar Pradesh after post-mortem procedures, officials said.
Recently, in another noticeable incident, a 17-year-old Thiruvananthapuram native teen had tried to enter the Naval Base by impersonating an armed officer in uniform. The teen who was intercepted by the security officers, was nabbed and let go. On questioning, the teen had said that he tried to get inside the Naval Base, allegedly wishing to join the force. The incident garnered attention as it occured hours after Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to the Naval Base. However, the Navy in a statement said that there was no security lapse.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.