Young woman attempts suicide along with three children, infant dies

Bantwal, August 29: In a heart-wrenching incident a 28-year-old woman attempted suicide after pushing her three children into a pond in Kolnadu village here, leaving her 45-day old infant dead.

Zainabi , her two daughters Zahira (4) and Junaina (3) have been rescued by the villagers while the dead infant has been identified as Junaifa. The mother and two children are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mangalore

Zainabi and her husband Zubair, originally from Savanoor, have been residing in and around Vittal for the last few years. Of late they were living at a rented house in Manalapadvu. However, the Sunday's ghastly incident has taken place near her parental home in Thalithasooji in Kolnadu village. She had apparently taken the ghastly plunge on her way to her brother's house after visiting her another brother.

On hearing the noise of children and woman whining and screaming, Abdul Khader Kallmarai rushed to the spot and was shocked to find the woman and children crying for help. He plunged into the water and rescued the woman along with her two children. But the youngest daughter remained untraceable even after a frantic search. Meanwhile Vittal police arrived at the scene and continued search operation. They summoned swimming expert Abdurrazak from Panemangalore, who was subsequently able to fish out the body of the infant.

The woman and her two children were rushed to the Vittal government hospital where they were administered preliminary treatment. Later the trio were shifted to a private hospital in Mangalore.

The reason for the dastardly act remains unclear, but it has been rumoured that financial distress could be the factor. Zainabi's husband is working as a labourer at a poultry farm in Vittal. Local police officers have visited the site and conducted a preliminary investigation. A case of attempt to suicide and murder had been lodged against Zainabi.