Rejected marriage proposals prompt man to slash wrist

Abu Dhabi A young man attempted to commit suicide after girls' families turned down his marriage proposals, Gulf News has learnt.

In a separate incident, a woman also attempted suicide after pictures of her working in a bar were posted on a social networking site without her consent. Abu Dhabi Police have confirmed both the incidents.

The 29-year-old Indian man tried to take his life by slashing his wrist after his marriage plans failed to materialise, he told the Abu Dhabi Police.

The man is now in police custody and faces charges of attempted suicide. The incident happened in Hamdan Street early this week.

"Around 7.30pm, police were informed by one of the man's roommates that he had slashed his wrist," a police official, who requested anonymity, said.

He locked himself in the toilet, left the tap running and used the blade from his shaving kit to hurt himself.

The man hails from the south Indian state of Kerala and was trying for an arranged marriage. Police transferred him to the Shaikh Khalifa Medical City for treatment. "He was tired from losing some blood but he was in a stable condition," according to the police. He is now in police custody pending court proceedings.

According to UAE laws, attempting to commit suicide is a criminal offence that mandates a fine of up to Dh5,000 and/or imprisonment for up to six months.

The woman, who attempted suicide, also an Indian, did so on Valentine's Day. She too slashed her wrists but was found on time. "One of the clients at the bar where she worked took her picture and posted it on Facebook. This resulted in problems for her as her family back home was unaware that she worked at a bar."

Depressed over the turn of events, she tried to kill herself, the source added.