After suicides, police steps up patrolling at Kukkarahalli Lake

Mysuru: A day after the body of Maharaja’s College student Deekshit V, who allegedly committed suicide, was found in Kukkarahalli Lake, police have stepped up patrolling in and around the pristine waterbody.
Located close to the Manasagangotri campus, Kukkarahalli Lake, besides being a favourite haunt among locals and tourists alike, is a landmark in Mysuru city that has inspired the likes of Kuvempu.Its verdant atmosphere has also turned the waterbody into a haven for birds.
However, over the years, the lake has acquired a reputation as a suicide spot. On August 18, morning walkers were met with the gruesome sight of the bodies of Spoorthy, 29, and her seven-year-old daughter Hemani. Nearly five years ago in November 2012, 45-year-old Somanna, a bank employee, too was alleged to have thrown himself in the lake and ended his life.
As custodian of the waterbody, University of Mysore imposed restrictions on entry into the lake a decade ago to curb illegal activities in its vicinity. Visitors were allowed inside the lake only between 6 to 9am and 4 to 7pm. Three security guards were also deployed to maintain security at the lake.
However, sources at the varsity said that these measures have not helped prevent suicides. “The university has widened the bund, built a new walkway, restored the iron watch tower among other activities as part of developing the lake. But, while the environment around the lake has improved, incidence of suicide has not decreased,” a source said.
City police commissioner A Subramayeshwara Rao told TOI that the patrolling team Garuda had been deployed to prevent untoward incidents in the lake. “But, since suicides are occurring within the lake, we have decided to step up patrolling in the area,” he added.