Taking cognisance of the death of a 17-year-old boy in New Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar of Mundian on August 24, the Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has asked Punjab chief secretary to take off ‘Blue Whale Challenge’ and other such games from the internet immediately.

The 17-year-old boy identified as Abhishek had reportedly ended his life while completing the final challenge of the deadly game on August 24. His dead body was found hanging from the grills of the stairs of his house along with a suicide note which read ‘I give up’.

Sukesh Kalia, chairman of Punjab State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, said the commission is concerned that teens are falling prey to such games and taking extreme steps such as committing suicide. He said that more children will fall prey to the deadly game if preventive measures are not taken soon.

The chairman further added that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, New Delhi, has also taken cognisance and drafted an elaborate informatoryand precautionary advisory. Referring to the same informatoryand precautionary advisory, the commission asked the chief secretary to take requisite steps by issuing immediate directions to appropriate authorities to take the games off the internet and create awareness among teens and their parents. The copies of letter have been sent to principal secretary of the department of school education and head of BSNL Punjab Circle.