Out-of-work Guwahati welder commits suicide amid lockdown

Guwahati: A man on Thursday morning committed suicide by hanging in the VIP Road area of Guwahati, Assam. The deceased has been identified as Nipon Deka, a welder whose luck reportedly ran dry after the imposition of lockdown to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Deka, who originally hailed from Sipajhar in Mangaladai, reportedly hanged himself high atop a tree in the divider that runs along the VIP Road. Shocked locals discovered the corpse hanging high up in the tree in the early morning hours today and informed the authorities.

Ramen Das, a neighbor, told The Sentinel Digital that the man had worked in the welding shop for several years and was well-loved by the locals of the area. "The officials have said that he must have committed suicide 3 days ago as the body has swollen up and is emanating the stench of decay. Although nothing can be ascertained at this point, his suicide could be because of financial problems. He had to pay 3 months' pending rent which he could not afford due to the lockdown. Although he had assured the landlord that he would pay up, he was discovered in this state", Das added.

"Deka, who worked at the Nirupama Engineering shop as a welder, lost his livelihood during the COVID-19 triggered lockdown. He used to come to my family for financial assistance from time to time. His son studies in Class 8, his daughter studies in Class 10 and he was in an absolute quandary. We believe that he killed himself due to financial troubles", another neighbor said.

"We believe that the man has committed suicide. The landlord too had not seen him for several days. However, things can only be ascertained after the investigation. We have informed his family and they are on the way", an official said.

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