Eleven members of a family of Pakistani Hindu refugees were found dead outside their hut at a village in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan on Sunday. The shocking incident occurred in Dechu police station area of Lodta village of the district. The deceased came from Pakistan’s Sindh province in 2012 and were in the process of getting Indian citizenship.
According to reports, after being informed by locals, the police reached the spot and found one person from the family in an ‘injured state’. He was rushed to a government hospital where he is currently undergoing treatment.
However, the reason behind this appalling incident is not clear yet. Prima facie, it is believed that all the 11 dead refugees of the Jodhpur– four women, two men, and five children – committed a mass-suicide by consuming poison or pesticides late on Saturday night. This was indicated by the smell of some chemical around the hut.
Superintendent of Police (Rural) Rahul Barhat has been quoted in the media as saying: “We are yet to ascertain the cause and means of death. But apparently, all the members appeared to have committed suicide by consuming some chemical in the night.”
“There was neither any injury mark on any of the bodies nor any evidence of any foul play,” the police officer added. “But we have roped in the forensic team and a dog squad to arrive at any final conclusion.”
Barhat said the preliminary investigation indicated that there had been some dispute within the family. He said more concrete details of the incident will emerge after the survivor is interrogated.
However, according to local sources, the economic hardships faced by the family can be one reason for the mass suicide, reported Times Now.
The migrant family members belonged to the Bheel community. They worked near the tubewell in Lodta village and lived in a hutment nearby. They had taken the farm on rent.
—By Sabeel Ahmed
