KHUJAND, September 15, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Suicide rates remain high in the northern Sughd province despite local authorities’ efforts to stem an increase in the number of suicides in the area.

According to the Sughd police directorate, 119 cases of suicide and 65 attempted suicides have been registered in the province over the first eight months of this year, while in January-July this year, local police have registered 96 cases of suicide and 56 attempted suicides.  It means that in August 2009 alone, 13 cases of suicide and nine attempted suicides were registered in northern Tajikistan.

Local experts blame economic and family problems for a spate of suicides in the province.

Besides, a large number of suicides have been committed by insane persons.  Over the first eight months of this year, 45 insane persons in Sughd have committed suicide.

Nine criminal cases have been instituted in the province on the charge f driving to suicide, the source said.