KHUJAND, April 14, Asia-Plus  -- The Sughd prosecutor Khairullo Saidov told a press conference in Khujand on April 11 that 37 cases of suicide and 12 cases of suicide attempt have been registered in the province over the first three months of this year.

According to him, those who committed suicide or attempted to kill themselves over the report period included 22 women and four minors.  

Speaking to reporters, the prosecutors noted that cases of suicide and suicide attempt had been registered mainly in the cities of Qairoqqum, Taboshar, and Isfara, as well as in Bobojonghafurov, Asht, Spitamen and Jabborrasulov districts. 

“Two criminal proceedings have been instituted on these facts and an investigation is under way,” Saidov said.  

In the meantime, according to the information center within the Sughd prosecutor’s office, 615 cases of suicide and 473 cases of suicide attempt were registered in northern Tajikistan in 2003-2007.  Those who committed suicide or attempted to kill themselves over the mentioned four years included 551 men, 537 women and 120 minors.   

The authorities in northern Tajikistan are taking efforts to try to stem an increase in the number of suicides in the area.  Officials blame family and economic problems.