BENGALURU: An eight-year-old schoolgirl allegedly committed suicide by setting herself ablaze on Monday.
Manisha alias Gayatri, daughter of Naraiah and Sampoorna, lived in Someshwara Extension in Yelahanka New Town.
According to the police, Sampoorna had gone to work at a nearby garment factory when Manisha killed herself.
Manisha, alone at home, allegedly doused herself with kerosene and set herself on fire.
Around 8.30 pm, Sampoorna returned from work and found Manisha’s burnt body. Neighbours then informed the local police.
In a suicide note, Manisha has apologised to her mother for skipping school for a week. “Even if I die, I will be with you,” her note in Kannada says. She signs off with an “I love you” in English.
Preliminary investigations revealed Manisha had not been going to school for a week. Sampoorna was not aware of her absence from school.
Yelahanka New Town police are investigating.
Experts Blame Early Exposure
Children’s exposure to violent crimes on TV and other media could be prompting them to take their lives, experts said. “While depression in children is common, most suicide cases are impulsive. They are rarely planned for days,” said a psychologist.
Children are exposed to social media and TV serials, and learn about extreme emotions.“While media speak out against crime and suicide, they also describe the procedures in detail,” he said.
Dr Shobha Srinath of NIMHANS agrees suicide in children as young as nine is impulsive rather than premeditated. Psychiatrists suggest parents look out for symptoms. “Depression is hard to detect, but if a child refuses to play, fares badly at school and is aloof all the time, parents should take note,” a psychiatrist said.
He stressed children should feel they can talk to their parents about what is troubling them. “That is the only way to help them,” he said.