Source: Fijilive.com
FIJI, December 28, 2001: Two Indo-Fijian males and a female, all from farming backgrounds, committed suicide this week, taking this year’s suicide total to 241. Senior Superintendent of Police Romanu Tikotikoca said the police have yet to analyze and compile a report on the underlying causes leading to high number of suicide in the community. Women’s Crisis Centre coordinator Shamima Ali, however, said suicide has been a long-standing problem and the state should have intervened earlier. She said many suicide cases occur in rural areas as a result of lack of services and neglect that rural dwellers suffer. “The question that needs to be raised is why this one particular community?” she asked.