Bengaluru: Not ready to quit drinking, man climbs tree, threatens to end life

BENGALURU: High drama prevailed in Rajarajeshwarinagar, southwest Bengaluru, on Tuesday morning when a 50-year-old man climbed a 50-ft tall tree and threatened to kill himself. Reason: His son wanted him to quit drinking.
Joy Magtho from Shivamogga had come to see his son Dharma, a vegetable seller in the city, two days ago. Frustrated over his father’s drinking habit, Dharma decided to shift Joy to a rehabilitation centre.When he learnt about the plan, Joy left the house and climbed a silver tree inHalagevaderahalli area at 10am. Locals alerted police who asked Joy to come down, but in vain.
Soon, police summoned a team from the fire and emergency services and also an ambulance to the spot. The rescue team from Nagarabhavi fire station arrived at 10.30am and tried to rescue Joy. But he threatened to jump. Dharma arrived at the spot and the rescue team asked him to go near his father. But Joy kicked his son, forcing him to come down.
“Joy sat there till 12.15pm. When he became thirsty, he started climbing down for water. We took him down when he reached near our ladder,” an official said. RR Nagar police said Joy appeared to have suicidal tendencies as he had climbed trees at least six times in his village and threatened to end his life. Dharma has been advised to get his father treated at Nimhans.