: Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand has said the government was committed to safeguarding the lives of citizens.The Home Minister said so while addressing a programme on “Awareness Raising Programme for Suicide Prevention and Reduction” organised by Kathmandu Valley Police Office on World Suicide Prevention Day on Sunday.

The main goal of the government is to safeguard citizens’ life and the government is committed to this, he added. On the occasion, the Home Minister said that no one should commit suicide while urging one and all to safeguard the lives of every individual, family members, kin and neighbours.Likewise, he praised the role played by Nepal Police for the cause of protection of public lives and maintenance of law and order in the society despite limited means and resources.

Also speaking at the event, Attorney General Khamba Bahadur Khati said root causes of suicide should be identified and efforts should be taken for its prevention. According to Khati, Nepal is ranked 126th out of 196 in the world on suicide. Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Balendra Shah, Inspector General of Nepal Police Dhiraj Pratap Singh, Home Ministry’s Joint Secretary Govinda Prasad Rijal and others said that suicide could be prevented from the collective efforts of individuals, family, society and the nation.As per the report, the suicide rate in Nepal is higher among the population of 15 to 29 years of age and 45 years above. In Nepal, more than 6,800 people killed themselves in the fiscal year 2078/079 BS.