Demonetization: Teen dies by suicide in India after failing to withdraw cash for exam fees

India’s invalidation of high currency notes earlier this month continues to cost lives in the nation.

In a heart wrenching incident, an 18-year-old student died by suicide in Mawai Buzurg village of Uttar Pradesh after he was unable to obtain enough cash for examination fees, according to an Indian Express report.

The boy, Suresh, reportedly stood in queues outside the local for several days in attempts to withdraw some money. He was a student in Panchnehi Degree College, and was pursing a Bachelor’s degree in Science.

Suresh died by suicide on Tuesday by hanging himself, a day before the examination fees had to be submitted at the college, his family was quoted as saying. Police said they are investigating the matter. Locals pelted the bank with stones in protest.

The Indian government’s bold push to demonetize Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 cash notes has caused panic and severe inconvenience to the lives of hundreds of millions of people. Many believe that the government should have responsibly handled the situation.

But beyond the inconvenience, the move has also costed many lives. Several people have died waiting in the snaking, increasingly growing hostile queues outside banks and ATMs. More than 50 people have lost lives so far with more cases surfacing almost on a daily basis.

If you want to talk to someone or are experiencing suicidal thoughts, text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. For international resources, this list is a good place to start.