In probably the first major incident of mass suicide after COVID-19 lockdown, the bodies of four members, including a three-year-old, of a migrant family were found floating in a well near Warangal town in North Telangana.
The couple, Maqsood and Nisha, migrated from West Bengal to Telangana, almost 20 years ago. They were staying with their daughter and a grandchild, and were working in a jute bag manufacturing unit in an industrial area, according to police and locals.
It is suspected that the entire family committed suicide as there were no signs of external injuries or struggles. The couple also had two sons who are studying. Efforts are on to trace them.
Santosh, the employer of the deceased, was among the first to spot the bodies. He told the local media that the couple had approached him for work almost five months ago and he had hired them. After the lockdown began, they told him that they did not have any place to stay and requested him to arrange for accommodation. He said he allowed the family to stay on the premises of the unit.
Santosh said he could not find the family on Thursday and while leaving from work in the evening, he spotted the bodies in a well nearby. “I immediately alerted the police,” he said.
He said he was not aware why the family took such a drastic step.
Warangal district police officials informed the media that they are treating it as a suicide and are yet to ascertain the reasons behind it. They said two migrant workers from Bihar used to stay on the floor above the deceased. “They are also not to be found. Their wallets and belongings are still in the room but they are missing. We have formed teams to search for them,” said a senior police official.
