Jammu woman sets herself ablaze near Tawi bridge after boyfriend stops responding
Synopsis
A 22-year-old Jammu woman sustained 80 per cent burn injuries after allegedly setting herself on fire near the Tawi bridge when her boyfriend stopped answering her calls. She told investigators she had no intention to die but acted in a fit of anger — a case that puts a human face on NCRB data showing thousands of young Indians suffer crisis-level distress over relationship breakdowns each year.
Key Takeaways
A 22-year-old woman set herself ablaze near the Tawi bridge in Jammu on 22 May 2025 .
She sustained approximately 80 per cent burn injuries and is undergoing hospital treatment.
The woman told investigators her boyfriend had not answered her calls for two to three days ; she said she had no intention to die but acted in anger.
Police have registered a case and preliminary investigation points to a strained relationship as the trigger.
According to NCRB data , thousands of Indians die by suicide annually due to 'love affairs' or 'failure in love', with those aged 15–29 at highest risk.
States including Assam , Tamil Nadu , and West Bengal record disproportionately high numbers of such cases nationally.
A 22-year-old woman in Jammu set herself on fire near the Tawi bridge area on Thursday, 22 May, allegedly after her boyfriend stopped responding to her calls, police said. The woman sustained approximately 80 per cent burn injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.
What Happened
According to police, the woman allegedly poured an inflammable substance on herself and set herself ablaze in a fit of rage. Passersby at the scene immediately rushed to her aid and managed to douse the flames before she was taken to hospital for emergency treatment.
Her statement was recorded at the hospital on Thursday night in the presence of a magistrate. 'She told investigators that she had not spoken to her boyfriend for the past two to three days, as he was not answering her calls. She said that she had no intention to die but acted in a fit of anger,' a senior police officer said.
Police Response and Investigation
Preliminary investigations suggest a strained personal relationship was the reason behind the incident, according to police. A case has been registered and further investigation is under way. The officer said no arrests have been announced so far.
A Broader Pattern of Relationship-Linked Distress
The Jammu incident is not isolated. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), thousands of people die by suicide in India each year due to reasons categorised as 'love affairs' or 'failure in love.' The highest risk is concentrated among young people between the ages of 15 and 29.
States including Assam, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal consistently record higher numbers of such cases compared to the national average, according to NCRB data. Studies indicate that many such incidents are compounded by family opposition to inter-caste or inter-religious relationships, familial rejection, and a lack of accessible mental health support for young people navigating emotional distress.
Mental Health Resources
Mental health professionals consistently emphasise that accessible counselling infrastructure remains inadequate for India's youth, particularly in smaller cities and towns. This case underscores the urgent need for community-level emotional support systems. Anyone experiencing emotional distress can contact mental health helplines available across India.
Point of View
But it is equally a mental health story — and that distinction matters. The woman's own words, recorded before a magistrate, make clear this was an impulsive act of emotional crisis, not a premeditated attempt. India's response infrastructure for relationship-linked emotional distress remains thin, particularly outside metros. NCRB data has flagged the 15–29 age cohort as acutely vulnerable for years, yet accessible counselling at the community level is still the exception rather than the rule. Registering a case is necessary; ensuring she receives psychological support alongside medical treatment is equally so.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Jammu self-immolation incident near Tawi bridge?
A 22-year-old woman allegedly set herself on fire near the Tawi bridge in Jammu on 22 May 2025 after her boyfriend stopped answering her calls. She sustained around 80 per cent burn injuries and is currently hospitalised.
What did the woman say about her intentions?
In a statement recorded at the hospital in the presence of a magistrate, the woman said she had not spoken to her boyfriend for two to three days because he was not answering her calls. She told investigators she had no intention to die but acted in a fit of anger.
What action has the police taken?
Jammu police have registered a case and are conducting further investigation. Preliminary findings suggest a strained personal relationship was the cause. No arrests have been announced.
How serious is relationship-linked emotional distress among Indian youth?
According to NCRB data, thousands of people in India die by suicide each year due to reasons linked to 'love affairs' or 'failure in love', with those aged 15 to 29 at the highest risk. Assam, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal consistently record higher numbers of such cases.
Where can someone in emotional distress seek help in India?
Several mental health helplines operate across India, including iCall (9152987821) and Vandrevala Foundation (1860-2662-345), available 24 hours. Mental health professionals recommend reaching out before a crisis escalates.
