First woman Army jawan commits suicide

SNS, SILIGURI, 14 MAY: The first woman Territorial Army Jawan, Shanti Tigga (37), who received President Award in 2011, committed suicide by hanging with the help of  gamchha in a lavatory of the Alipurduar Railway Hospital in Jalpaiguri today.

Tigga, had been ‘kidnapped’ under mysterious circumstances on the night of 9 May and later rescued from a forest zone at Mahabasti near Chalsa in the Dooars on 10 May morning.

Police rescued her and started investigating the matter seriously providing her security at home in the Dooars after being provided medical treatment at a local hospital.

Recently, railway officials had come to her house and approached police to get her admitted at Alipurduar Railway Hospital for treatment.

Three police personnel were posted outside Alipurduar hospital for her,  following the ‘mysterious’ kidnapping case.

During investigation police came to know that the railway department had started a departmental inquiry into her alleged involvement in corruption and decided to take admit in the railway hospital for further interrogation.

Tigga's relatives, including her son Nelson, were present at the hospital today when she committed suicide.

She reportedly told her son that she was going to the lavatory to have a shower. Nelson intimated the hospital authorities when her mother did not come back even after a long time. The hospital staff then found her hanging body in the lavatory. Nelson (18) found his mother and broke down and pulled down her body immediately.

She has another son named David.

Tigga was working with the railway department as a point-man near Chalsa.

According to her statement to police and railway officials, she was kidnapped from Chalsa Bazaar around 8 p.m. on 9 May after she had completed her overtime duty.

Villagers spotted her at Mahanbasti where she was tied with a pillar of watchtower for on 10 May morning.

Police found two chits from her. The contents of the chits were related to the recent chit funds menace and state of the affairs in the state.

During police examination she informed them that few persons had picked up and fled by a car from Chalsa area but she could not provide specific information about them. Police were unable to reach a conclusion and ascertain a motive behind the kidnapping or a ‘story’ behind the plot.

Sources said Tigga had allegedly collected money from several persons and promised them jobs in the railway department. She was also involved in money marketing business and other jobs. Recently she was under pressure for returning the money to the job seekers and others.

Police registered another case after Tigga committed suicide this afternoon.

The Jalpaiguri SP, Mr Amit P Javalgi, said police were still investigating the entire episode.