KHUJAND, April 22, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Juvenile delinquency is reportedly increasing in Sughd province.

The Sughd police directorate chief Rauf Yusupov told Asia-Plus today that 83 crimes have been committed by minors in the province over the first three months, which is 47 cases more than in January-March 2009.

In all, 866 crimes have been registered in northern Tajikistan over the report period, which 1.8 percent fewer than in the same period last year.

Local law enforcement authorities have confiscated 120 illegally possessed firearms, including four pistols, eight rifles and 108 smooth-bore guns, over the same period three-month period.  During the same period, criminal proceedings were instituted against four local residents on charges of illegal possession of weapons.