22 suicides in atomic energy department in five years

NEW DELHI - As many as 22 employees of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) committed suicide in the last five years, a minister said Thursday, adding that only one case was due to work related pressure.

The cases of unnatural deaths of employees of Department of Atomic Energy during last five year were analysed. It was seen that out of 29 death cases, 22 were alleged suicides, Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affairs V. Narayansamy told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

Only one case related to work related discontentment. All other cases of alleged suicidal deaths are on account of personal reasons, he said.

Sensitive cases are monitored by the department in consultation with Intelligence Bureau and the local police, he said.

As many as seven employees of Indias reputed atomic research centres committed suicide this year, including four from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).