After witnessing the tragic death of her 5-year-old son by 'manja' (glass-powdered thread) which slit her son’s throat, Nirosha attempted suicide by consuming tablets on Friday. She has been admitted to a local hospital and is said to be in a critical state.
In an attempt to kill herself, Nirosha had reportedly taken 20 tablets but was quickly taken to the Government Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital in an unconscious state. Police said that Nirosha had gone into depression after her son Ajay’s death.
Dr Narayana Babu, Dean of the hospital, told The New Indian Express, Nirosha had consumed epileptic tablets that were meant for her sister and later became unconscious.
Nirosha has been kept on life support in the Intensive Care Unit and the doctors said that it is too early to comment on her condition.
Nirosha’s son died on Sunday when the glass-powdered thread ‘manja’ slit his throat. The incident occurred on Murasoli Maran flyover in Chennai. The child was taken to the Kilpauk Medical College but was declared dead on arrival by the doctors.
A day after the death, police raided Washermenpet and Purasawalkam areas and arrested the sellers of manja. It has also been found that two minors were flying kites using ‘manja’ in the vicinity of the incident which could have led to the child’s death. The two minors have been produced before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) and sent to a reformational home.
The Sembium police claimed that the manja was bought from Kumaran Stores on Konnur High Road in Otteri. Murugan, the owner has gone into hiding after learning that the manja he sold had caused the death of a child.
City Police Commissioner S George had said that stringent action will be taken against both the sellers and suppliers of raw materials that are used to manufacture manja threads.
To know more about the deadly manja and the lives it has taken in the past, click here.