Mangaluru: The deadly blue whale game that seems to influence people to take up challenges, including those that forces one to cause harm to oneself, has become a major cause of concern in the country with several cases of suicide being linked to the game. Not everyone is lucky enough to escape the deadly jaws of the blue whale. Wasim Akram, an Assamese youth, was on his way to becoming another of the infamous game’s victims, but his destiny had something else in store for him.
His latest challenge required him to run around in the vicinity close to the Surathkal Police Station. The locals found his behaviour strange and informed the police. He was then entrusted to the care of Snehalaya Ashram.
Wasim, son of Noor ul Haq, is a native of Assam. He had come to Kochi airport soon after Eid and was working here for few days as a housekeeper. Wasim is said to have purchased a Lenovo mobile with the money he got and soon, had downloaded the Blue Whale game out of curiosity. He cleared one round, which required him to cross the railway track as a train was approaching him. Even though he had uninstalled the game on his mobile, the stress and stories about the game caused him to suffer a breakdown and as a result, started making up his own challenges.
He splurged his money on alcohol and kept on fabricating his own challenges, one of which was submerging himself in water. Plans changed when the locals, who feared that he was mentally disturbed, handed him over to the Surathkal police.
Wasim is now said to have recovered completely after undergoing treatment at Yenepoya hospital, expenses (major part) of which was borne by Snehalaya.
Founder of the Snehalaya Charitable Trust Joseph Crasta speaking to Newskarnataka said, “Surathkal police informed about a youth who seemed menatlly disturbed and urged to shift him to Snehalaya. He was very disturbed after being a victim of the deadly blue whale challenge, he even broke a iron rod and wall here. So we took him to Yenepoya hospital and now he has recovered. His parents came here after being informed his condition and will be heading back to Assam with him in a day or two.”
The victim speaking to Newskarnataka said, “I was very curious after hearing about the blue whale game. I had heard several stories about the game and hence I downloaded the game. When I started playing a fish appeared. After clearing the first round, I was asked to get Kerala people to Assam in the second round. Then I had to submerge myself in the water. Then I was mentally disturbed. The locals informed the police and I was later brought here. Now I want to go back to my native place and find a job. I urge everyone not to try this game and be careful. The game is absolutely dangerous and can manipulate you.”
