Man hangs self as villagers ‘boycott’ him on COVID-19 suspicion in HP

A 37-year-old man, who tested negative for coronavirus, hanged self to death after allegedly facing “social boycott” by the villagers. The incident happened on Sunday (April 5) morning in Himachal Pradesh’s Una district, reports said.

The deceased was identified as Mohammad Dilshad. Some of the villagers had allegedly boycotted him on suspicion that he was suffering from coronavirus; all this despite his results coming negative.

Dilshad committed suicide under a shed at his Bangarh village residence a day after health official dropped him at his village after he tested negative, said an official. He was taken to a quarantine facility a few days ago where he tested negative for the disease.

Una Sadar SHO Darshan Singh said Dilshad was one of the contacts of a Tablighi Jamaat member who had returned from New Delhi’s Nizamuddin.

Related news: Baby dies as pregnant woman denied treatment over religion in Rajasthan

“Some villagers pointed out that this man was a suspected COVID-19 patient. He was quarantined and tested negative for the infection. When he returned to his village, he was discriminated against and socially boycotted by villagers. At this, he committed suicide,” said DGP Sita Ram Mardi.

However, the SHO told news agency PTI the matter was being investigated whether he was discriminated against or socially boycotted by villagers. “I have sent an ASI on the spot. So far, no issue of social boycott or discrimination has come to the fore,” the SHO added.

Meanwhile, the DGP urged people to maintain social distancing (to check the spread of COVID-19), which “does not mean social discrimination.” Urging the people to maintain harmony, the DGP said, “Such behaviour is not good.”

(With inputs from agencies)