Date:28/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/28/stories/2007072854090500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Sircilla police launch counselling to reduce suicides

Staff Reporter

SIRCILLA (KARIMNAGAR DT): The Sircilla town, which is also called as ‘Sholapur of Andhra’ because of highest number of power looms in the state, had attained dubious distinction with high incidence of suicides among the weavers i.e. 283 suicides from 1997 to 2007 due to abject poverty and other reasons.

In order to reduce the suicides among the powerloom weavers, the Sircilla police have embarked upon an ambitious task of conducting counselling programme to the weavers and their families.

The police had conducted ‘Manodairya yatra’ (to build self-confidence) on Friday on a massive scale.

Cutting across party lines all the politicians, students, local trade union leaders and others participated in an impressive rally in Sircilla town.

Speaking on the occasion, the SP called upon the locals to extend a helping hand to the powerloom weavers and transform the Sircilla into ‘Sirishala’ (wealth of weavers