Khulna University female student 'kills self'

A female student of Khulna University reportedly killed herself at her home in the city on Friday.

Afsana Afrin Sumi, a student of Drawing and Painting Discipline, hanged herself from a ceiling fan, Prabir Kumar Biswas, officer-in-charge of Khanjahan Ali Police Station, said.

"At 12pm, the student's family members found her door locked. And they did not get any response after repeatedly knocking on the door. As the family members broke open the door, they found Afsana hanging from the ceiling."

"Next, the 19-year-old was brought to Khulna Medical College Hospital where she was declared dead at 1pm." 

"After a primary investigation, we are suspecting that Afsana committed suicide. However, we sent her body to Khulna Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy."

"We will be sure about the cause of her death when we get medical reports."

Several university students have taken their lives in recent times.

In the last few years, several Rajshahi University students committed suicide. Also, according to Dhaka University (DU), 39 students of the institution reportedly committed suicide between January 2005 and December 28 last year.

Dr Mahjabeen Haque, chair of DU's Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, said: "Most people commit suicide because of depression, personality disorders and mood swings. If these disorders could be taken care of, then we can easily reduce the number of suicides."

"Writing notes or expressing frustration through social media is a direct or indirect indication by people contemplating suicides. We have to listen to them, reassure them that they're not alone, their life is valuable."