Compiled by YIMIE YONG, JO TIMBUONG and R. ARAVINTHAN

A SOCIAL activist based in Kedah says the increasing number of suicides and suicide attempts among the Indian community is worrying, reported Malaysia Nanban.

V. Kahiravan said there have been several cases in Sungai Petani since January with the latest case involving a father of three in Taman Ria Jaya.

In the incident, the victim who was identified as M. Siva hung himself at home and was discovered by his wife. The case is still being investigated by the police.

Kathiravan said suicide attempts by ingesting poison have also seen an increase.

He advised those who were facing problems to get help from professionals.

> The daily also reported about a man in Tamil Nadu, India, who was arrested for allegedly killing a four-year-old boy after his father failed to pay his debt.

The man, identified as Anthonysamy, had apparently lent 58,000 rupees (RM3,400) to Sakaya Sinthuja.

When the borrower failed to pay back the loan, Anthony kidnapped Sinthuja’s son and drowned him in a water tank, according to a report lodged by the victim’s mother.

The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.