DUSHANBE, June 21, 2008, Asia-Plus — Minister of Interiors Mahmadnazar Solehov arrived in Khorog, the capital of Gorno Badakhshan on June 20 to assume the direct control of investigation of the situation in the region in connection with protest rallies that were held in Khorog on June 18 and 20.
Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, one of officials with the GBAO police directorate said on June 21 that the situation in the city is currently calm and under control. Demonstrators that gathered near the government building in Khorog yesterday morning dispersed late at night.
We will recall that about 300 people gathered at the Vahdat Square in front of the government building in Khorog Friday morning again to protest against a state decision to send more troops to the region. According to the rally organizers, the number of those gathered increased to some 800 people by evening.
Friday morning, the GBAO governor Qodir Qosim came out to meet with the demonstrators. He asked them not to succumb to provocations. He asked the demonstrators to disperse, assuring that additional troops were sent to the region to strengthen the border.
In the meantime, one of organizers of the rally, Alim Sherzamonov, told Asia-Plus today by phone that demonstrators disbursed lat at night. “Authorities have not fulfilled our demands regarding withdrawal of the additional troops sent to the region,” said Sherzamonov, “The situation in the city is tense; people suspended the rally being concerned their safety, however, they did sleep the whole night.”
In the meantime, the Khorog independent news agency Pamir Media reported that that demonstrators dispersed Friday evening after senior representatives of local authorities promised them on behalf of the minister of interiors to consider their demands and reply to them within two days.
As it had been reported earlier, an authorized started in Khorog on June 18. Some 300 people gathered near the government building in Khrorog in the morning, protesting news that the government had sent additional troops. Demonstrators dispersed on June 18, vowing to return if their demands are not fulfilled. One of their demands was to withdraw the additional troops sent to the region.
