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Nearly 78 students into Blue Whale game: Vignesh’s parents
The parents of Vignesh, the 19-year- old college student from Madurai, who had committed suicide allegedly by playing the Blue Whale challenge, claim that more students, who are friends of their son, are also into the deadly game.
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
Vignesh committed suicide by hanging in his house on Wednesday. During the investigation, both the image and the words ‘blue whale’ were also found on his left hand. Police also said they recovered a suspected suicide note, in which Vignesh had reportedly written that ‘Blue Whale is not a game, but a risk and once people enter it, they cannot come out of the game’.
Speaking to DTNext, Jeyamani, father of Vignesh, who is working at a bakery, said that his son was the first graduate in their family and he had hoped he would become a government official. Sadly Jeyamani does not even know what the name of the game is and said it was some Thimingila vilayattu (whale game). Likeiwse, Daisyrani, mother of Vignesh, was unaware of the game.
Dasiyarani said Vignesh had acquired the smartphone only recently. He was always immersed in the mobile phone and whenever she asked him, he replied that he was playing an online game with all his 78 friends. The officials should stop the other 78 from playing the deadly game, she said. According to their other son, Vignesh occasionally left home late in the night, only to return in the morning. For the past one week Vignesh had remained a recluse, added his friends. However, none expected him to commit suicide.
Vignesh’s suicide is the first suspected case of death due to the Blue Whale challenge’ in the state.
Vulnerable may take to this deadly game
Sixteen-year old Ramesh (name changed on request) got a message on WhatsApp about the Blue Whale challenge, with a link.
Curiosity got better of him and he ended up downloading the game. “I met the admin on a chat window. He warned me that I can’t leave once I begin. I quit immediately,” says Ramesh.
Not everyone is as lucky and there are many youngsters who are lured by this game. Psychologist Dr Mini Rao says, “Youngsters from troubled homes are more vulnerable to fall for this game. They already have an emotional baggage and they are probably suffering from depression or low self-esteem. They have a point to prove, and this game becomes a platform. It is important to note that the game is played in a group and where the participant competes with others and it gives them a sense of purpose. Parents should be equally made aware of this game. ”
‘No proof of Blue Whale challenge in Vignesh’s mobile’
MADURAI: Madurai SP, N.Manivannan, said that there is no direct proof that Vignesh had played the game on his smartphone.
Addressing the media, Manivannnan said there is no direct evidence as the Blue Whale challenge app was not found in it. He added that they were investigating if there had been a discussion on the game in a WhatsApp group between Vignesh and his friends.
He said a special technical team under Inspector Parameswari had been formed to investigate the suicide. Also a counselling cell headed by ADSP Kalavathi would probe any complaints on such games, he said. A dedicated WhatsApp number, 7708806111, had also been activated to register complaints about the Blue whale challenge. Similarly, Madurai Collector, K.Veera Raghav Rao, said that the suicide of Vignesh was unfortunate and parents need to keep a close watch on the activities of their children.
Russian teen held
A 17-year-old Russian girl has been arrested in Russia, for allegedly being the mastermind behind the notorious Blue Whale challenge. Media reports said the girl reportedly was posed as a male and was the admin, handling dozens of players at a time. She is said to have played the game herself, but did not complete the final challenge.
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