A Madurai-based NGO ‘Evidence’ has said that there is a surge in suicides by school students between January and August this year in Tamil Nadu. According to statistics obtained under the Right to Information Act Evidence said at least 105 students from various districts, aged between 13 and 15, ended life during this period.

Thoothukudi district had the highest share with 15 deaths, seven being girls. Krishnagiri district followed with 10 suicides, five of which were by girls.

The number of suicides by children and school-going adolescents remained low in Southern districts. But in places like Tirunelveli it recorded eight suicides in eight months, majority of them being boys. Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar, Dindigul, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts reported four, six, two, six, three and six suicides respectively.

The figures were alarming and that counsellors should be appointed in all government and private schools to guide the students said A Kadir, director of ‘Evidence’, said.