Mangalore: Suicide was Only Alternative, says D'Souza Family
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
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Mangalore, Jun 9: All the five members of Henry D’ Souza from Padupady near Katipalla who attempted en-masse suicide on June 5 have regained consciousness and have been shifted to the general ward of A J Hospital. With their recovery they will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow. Henry D Souza (65), his wife Lethicia (55), their mentally challenged eldest daughter Anita Rita (35), son Joseph (32) and youngest daughter Savitha have regained consciousness and are now recuperating
It may be recalled that five members of the family comprising father, mother and their three children tried to commit suicide by taking an overdose of sleeping pills and were admitted to hospital in an unconscious condition following a family property dispute. The only member of the family who escaped from this ordeal was their recently married daughter Suneetha who was in her marital home.
As the family belongs to Katipalla Infant Mary parish the parish priest and members of the parish council have taken the initiative of pooling together resources from various quarters to pay the hospital expenses which is estimated to be about 50,000/-. Parish priest Joseph Mascarenhus speaking to daijiworld stated that efforts will be made to ensure their speedy recovery and also to settle the family dispute, which is said to be the root cause that resulted in the entire family taking up the dastardly act of attempting suicide.
A wailing Lethicia D Souza was explaining her ordeal to visitors who were coming to see her in the hospital even as relatives and well wishers were trying to pacify her. Recalling the events of that fateful night when all the five members decided to consume an overdose of sleeping pills she said “it was her son who first mooted the idea of suicide as he was crestfallen due to the constant fights between his 3 aunts (mother’s sisters) with the family. Just a few days before this incident my aunts had come home creating a ruckus and we were very disturbed. My husband is not keeping good health. I had a uterus operation a year back, suffer from knee pain and unable to work. My eldest daughter is not able to lead an independent life due to her sickness. Under these circumstances we were left with no other alternative but to opt for ending our lives”.
Joseph speaking to daijiworld agreed that it was his proposal to commit suicide which was accepted by the entire family. He was also the first one to consume the tablets after mother and son distributed 30 tablets each to the five members. Anita, the eldest daughter is prescribed 4 sleeping pills per day by doctors considering her illness. Since the family had the prescription Joseph bought 150 tablets from different medical stores and all five members consumed 30 tablets each at around 11.30 in the night.
It is the property dispute coupled with poverty that must have prompted the family to enter into mass suicide pact in a matter of momentary madness. Their neighbor Rohan D Souza, who has been instrumental in shifting the family to the hospital, says it is a close-knit family and naturally the entire family decided to end their lives as they could not think of living without one another once Joseph had hinted of committing suicide.
The property dispute between the D Souza family and that of the three sisters had left the family emotionally drained. The church had tried to bring about reconciliation twice between the warring families without success. The church and parishioners have rendered a helping hand to the family for the wedding of their daughter Suneetha who recently got married in the mass marriage ceremony held at Rosario Church.
Though the family is out of danger it needs to be taken care of to prevent any further eventuality of resorting to repeating the act. Joseph is the only earning member of the family and may not be able to resume to his duties soon. The family needs financial assistance to come out of the bitter experience and rebuild their shattered lives.
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Note to the Readers:
Many daijiworld readers enquired for bank details of D'souza family, below is the bank account of Jossy Dsouza, son of Henry Dsouza:
Jossy Dsouza
Ac no. 54055192980
State bank of Mysore
Katipalla - Bala
For any further information neighbour and well-wisher of the D'Souza family Rohan D'Souza can be contacted on mobile number 94489 53335
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