SIRCILLA (KARIMNAGAR DT.): "Atmahatya mahapapam. Nuvvu chavaku - nee kutumbanni anadulnni cheyyaku" (Suicide is a crime. Do not commit suicide and displace your family), "Adhika appulu cheyyaku - leni thippalu thechukoku" (do not make huge debts and bring in problems).

These and many more wall writings greet visitors in the dingy lanes, where majority of powerloom weavers reside in Sircilla. The town reports the highest incidence of suicide among powerloom weavers, due to unemployment and increasing debts, in the State.

In order to prevent the weavers from committing suicide, the Sircilla police have launched a graffiti campaign in the town. They are also conducting counselling programmes for weavers and their families. Posters featuring a grief-stricken family gathered around the body of a weaver who ended life are also displayed to send the message across.

Figures speak

Statistics reveal that 67 powerloom weavers committed suicide in 2003, 68 in 2004, 92 in 2005, 108 in 2006 and 33 till date, this year. Incidentally, all these suicides were in Sircilla town, which is called "Sholapur of Andhra" for the highest number of powerlooms in the State.

Moved by the plight of the weavers, Sircilla Circle Inspector P. Venugopal Rao decided to contribute his mite to their welfare. Along with local Sub-Inspector K. Nagendra Chary, his men frequently visit weavers' colonies and counsel them at their workplace.

`Duty of police'

Said Mr. Venugopal Rao, "We have taken up this campaign as prevention of crime is the basic duty of police." He said that they were also taking measures to reduce the work hours of the weavers from the existing 12 hours to eight hours a day. A drive was also planned against ID liquor, which had become a major menace in the town.

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