Alappuzha cop saves woman from suicide attempt by grabbing shawl

Haripad (Alappuzha): “Had it been a minute late that young woman would have been hit by the train. The engine would have run over her. Her attempt was to come under the bogie. I grabbed her shawl and pulled her back,” Civil Police Officer of Haripad station A Nishad explained the scene with shock. 

Nishad's courageous intervention saved a young woman who attempted to die by suicide near the Karuvata Ganapathy Kulangara (Mankuzhy) level crossing on the coastal highway. The incident happened at 11.40 am on Sunday.

It all began when a woman from Haripad called the Haripad Police Station saying that she was going to take her life by jumping in front of the train and that no one else was involved. It was also said that she was going to die by suicide due to family problems and debt.

When SI Shaija tried to speak with the woman, the phone turned off. After being instructed to find the location with the help of Cybercell, the SI along with Nishad and police driver Ragesh immediately started looking for the woman. A search was made at the level crossings in Haripad and nearby areas, but in vain.

The phone, which was switched off, turned on later. When the officials called, she said that she did not want to live and was waiting for the train. When asked where the place was, the phone was turned off again, saying that it was near the temple. Meanwhile, the location was spotted in the Ayaparam area. After realizing that the temple is located near  Ganapathy Kulangara  level crossing, the police rushed there.

At the level crossing, vehicles pass through the underpass. The railway line will not be visible from there. When Nishad was climbing up, he saw the young woman preparing to jump in front of the train coming from Alappuzha side. He immediately grabbed her shawl and pulled it back. Then he persuaded the young woman and took her to the station in a jeep, summoned her relatives to the station and left her with them. 

The woman told the police that she left the house in a sudden rage. The incident took place near Veeyapuram Police Station. So further action will be taken by the Veeyapuram Police.

(Note: Suicide is not the solution to anything. Seek help from a mental health professional. Call: 1056)