KHUJAND, January 28, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Four suicides and one suicide attempt were reported in the Sughd province on January 26-27 alone, according to the Sughd police directorate.

The 45-year-old resident of Konibodom, Zafar Mardonqulov, and two 30-year-old men from Khujand killed themselves by self-hanging.  Besides, the 16-year-old girl in the city of Chkalovsk, Halima Bahoviddinova, committed suicide.  She also hanged herself.

The 11-year-old boy from the village of Dalyoni Poyon in the Ghonchi district also attempted to commit suicide by self-hanging.  “Fortunately, his parents managed to save him,” said the source, “The boy is currently in the central district hospital in Ghonchi.”

Prosecutors have instituted criminal proceedings and investigation of causes of the suicides is under way.

In 2009, 173 suicides and 87 suicide attempts were registered in northern Tajikistan, which is three cases more than in 2008, the source added.