…concerned at incidents of murder and suicide

THE Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) is deeply concerned over the recent incidents in which children died allegedly at the hands of their mother; where a number of senior citizens, predominantly women, were murdered, and the continuous cases of suicide.A statement issued by the IAC yesterday said, “With regard to the suicides, the IAC is gravely concerned that it is seemingly becoming unconfined to adults, as some children are unfortunately taking their own lives.

“The IAC has in the past repeatedly expressed its concern over such incidents of suicide, and called for a national intervention and to declare the current situation of suicide a national priority. The IAC would like to reiterate this call and to note that despite some mechanisms to provide assistance, there has been a deficiency in this regard by public entities and private organisations.

“The organisation once again urges the Ministries of Human Services and Social Security, Health and Culture, Youth & Sport, to collaborate in an effort to derive a meaningful plan of action which will lead to the provision of education and related counselling with the aim of reducing, and hopefully, eliminating incidents of suicide.

“On the matter of the deaths of senior citizens, the IAC calls on the relevant authority to work assiduously to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice. All “Guyanese must be able to live freely without having their security compromised.
Further, the IAC calls on the authorities and all religious and non-governmental organisations to work to identify and address the circumstances which may lead to someone taking his/her own life.

“Moreso, the IAC urges these organisations to endeavour to be cognisant of what’s happening in their communities so that relevant assistance, including counselling, can be extended to mitigate these societal circumstances. The IAC stands ready to support any initiative/programme that will result in meaningful changes in society,” the IAC concluded.