DUSHANBE, August 28, 2012, Asia-Plus — President Emomali Rahmon is expected to visit Khorog in the second half of September, Minister of Defense Sherali Khairulloyev announced at a meeting that took place at the khorog mayor’s office on August 27.
Some of officials noted at the meeting that president’s visit will take place if stability is provided in the region.
The meeting participants noted that the situation in Khorog was becoming stable and there was no cause for concern.
One of members of the commission comprising of local activists, however, noted that stabilization of the situation in the city depended on the government troops, “but I do not trust in them, because they have violated a truce between the armed groups and the government several times.”
Despite this, the meeting participants agreed that president’s visit to the region could promote the full settlement of the situation in Gorno Badakhshan.
We will recall that the first written agreement was reached between representatives of residents of Gorno Badakhshan and the government power-wielding structures (except the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) in Khorog on August 23 and under one of its points, military forces that have been deployed around residential communities of the city will be moved to the military unit stationed in Khorog.
Several thousand people that gathered in a central square of Khorog on the morning of August 22 to protest the murder of informal leader of Gorno Badakhshan, Imomnazar Imomnazarov, dispersed only on the night of August 23.
Demonstrators demanded that the government withdraw additional forces from the area and dismiss the region’s top official. They alleged that the killing of Imomnazarov violated a truce between armed groups and the government that was reached last month after fighting in Khorog left around 70 people dead. Protesters also said that the continued presence of additional military forces in the area was contributing to tensions.
The first written agreement was reached between the government forces, intermediary commission, members of the Khorog legislature, local religious leaders and activists of Khorog. It is to be noted that all the previous agreements between the sides were verbal.
The written agreement aimed at promoting the settlement of political and socioeconomic situation in Gorno Badakhshan consists of three points.
Under the first point, all participants of the last unauthorized rally should be released from responsibility for participation in unauthorized demonstration.
Under the second point, demonstrators disperse after signing of the document.
Under the third point, all military forces deployed around residential communities of the city will be moved to the military unit stationed in Khorog. This point also provides for consideration of the issue of the withdrawal of extra government forces from the region.
The other document notes that if the government forces violate the truce again, residents of the city will have the right to call for demonstration through the local TV station and in this case the demonstration will be considered authorized. This document was signed by Khorog Mayor Ibroimbek Ghozibekov, who is member of the Khorog local council and who is authorized to give permission for conducting demonstrations.
The meeting participants noted that a special commission had been set up to control fulfillment of the terms of the agreement.
The GBAO police directorate chief Tojiddin Nazrishoyev later told reporters that several trucks with military personnel on board are currently leaving the city every day. Besides, they are also carried to the places of permanent stationing by helicopters, Nazrishoyev noted.
Meanwhile, sources from the Rushan district say that only three KAMAZs with some 30 soldiers on board each have proceeded via the districts so far.
The law enforcement authorities deny this information but agree that no one of the commission members accompanies the convoy.
The GBAO police directorate chief also told reporters that 150 servicemen of the Rasht, Kulob and Dushanbe special police units (OMON) will remain in the region for along period — until the full stabilization of the situation in Khorog. He also added that it could not be ruled out that they would stay in the region on the permanent basis.
On the current situation in the city, Nazrishoyev noted that the situation in Khorog was taking a turn for the better due to efforts and assistance of citizens.
