Mangalore: Woman jumps into river with two young daughters

Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)

Mangalore, Jun 19: In yet another case of suicide, a woman along with her two young children jumped into the Netravati river here on Wednesday June 19.

The woman, identified as Mumtaz (25) jumped into the river from the railway bridge with her two daughters Fathima Naishana (8) and Khatija Naifa (5).

While Fathima was studying in the third standard at Best Educational Institute in B C Road, Khatija was in UKG.

A mobile phone and footwear belonging to the three and a letter was found at the spot. In the letter, Mumtaz reportedly said that she herself was responsible for taking the extreme step.

The reason behind the suicide is not yet known.

Her husband who is from B C Road stays abroad. Mumtaz hailed from Hidayatnagar in Kallapu near Thokkottu and was staying at B C Road in her husband's house.

Ullal police arrived at the spot.

Firemen and police along with the locals have launched a search operation to locate Mumtaz and the children. By late evening on Wednesday, bodies of Mumtaz and Fatima Naishana were recovered from the river. Search for the body of Khatija Naifa is on.

It is said that Mumtaz left her husband’s home in B C Road on the pretext of visiting her parental home at Kallapu, but got down at Jappinamogeru and reached Netravati Bridge with her two children with the aim of committing suicide.

A local saw the three walking by Netravati Bridge. Mumtaz lived with her mother-in-law, and two brothers-in-law. It is said that the family members of her husband, with whom Mumtaz’s relationship had grown sour of late, informed Sadiq Mohammed, husband of Mumtaz, who works abroad, over phone at around 2 pm about her departure from home. After the information that the three were seen near Netravati Bridge was conveyed, Mumtaz’s sister, Naaz, and her husband, Arshad, called her cell phone. The call was received by a boy, who said that he had found a purse, cell phone, and some footwear on the bridge. They then rushed to the bridge, where some people operating boats there told them about the suicide.

Mumtaz’s husband was earlier working in Fathima Store in the city, but had left for the Gulf in search of greener pastures after his marriage. Mumtaz had visited her parental home on June 15, and had gone back on the next day. It is said that Mumtaz, who had fought with family members of her in-laws family on Saturday, refused to have supper that day.

After the news of the suicide spread, hundreds of vehicles stopped there, and their drivers went to have a look at the proceedings. This led to traffic chaos, which continued for about a hour at the bridge area.

Fire brigade personnel, members of Lifeguards Association Ullal, and some local divers continue to search for the body of the other girl.

Mohammed, father of Mumtaz, however said that he was never informed by his daughter about the harassment if any she faced in the hands of her husband’s family.