DUSHANBE, June 23, 2008, Asia-Plus — On Monday June 23, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) released an official statement about the latest developments in Khorog, the capital of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (Gorno Badakhshan or GBAO).
The statement, in particular, said that by president’s order a working led by the Minister of Interior Mahmadnazar Solehov arrived in Khorog on June 20 to investigate the situation in the city.
“President’s order was initiated by an appeal of influential residents of Khorog Imomnazar Imomnazarov, Tolib Ayombekov, Yodqor Mamadaslamov and Mamadqoqir Mamadboqirov, in which together with concern about transfer of more troops to the region to strengthen the border they also expressed their readiness to support all undertakings on further strengthening of legality and public order in the region,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the situation in the region is now quite stable and local law enforcement agencies do not have any problems with maintaining public order in Gorno Badakhshan.
Because of certain circumstances, a number of problems have arisen only in the regional administrative center; however they have not been so acute to assess the situation in Gorno Badakhshan as uncontrollable, the statement said.
During its stay in Khorog, the working group held a meeting with heads of practically all mahalla (community) of Khorog and local youth leaders. The meeting demonstrated their interest in strengthening of legality and public order in Khorog.
A June 21 meeting with khalifas (local clerics) assisted to clarify the situation. Khlifas expressed their readiness to support activities of the working group in the region, the statement said.
“However, khalifas have had to admit some their omissions and indifference to processes that have taken place in Khorog over the past several months, including activities of emissaries and volunteers of different parties and movements,” said the statement, “Having failed to enlist support of residents of other regions, they filled the city like locusts and organized unauthorized rallies, involving women and youth, who were not well aware of their true interests.”
According to the statement, the problem of illegal possession of weapons, which is one reasons for destabilization and increase in crime in the region “was a focus of talks with local clerics, who are looking forward to visit of Mavlana Hazir-Imam Aga Khan IV and President Emomali Rahmon to the region.” This important event should be darkened by any selfish ends, the statement said.
Meetings with authors of the letter to president that were also held on June 21 also confirmed their adherence to their promise to obey President Emomali Rahmon as the Supreme Commander of Chief.
Under agreements reached during the meetings and with support of local authorities, clerics and youth activists a campaign of a voluntary handover of illegally possessed weapons started in Khorog on June 22. The statement expressed hope that the results of the campaign will demonstrate adherence of Imomnazar Imomnazarov, Tolib Ayombekov, Yodqor Mamadaslamov and Mamadqoqir Mamadboqirov to their word given to the president and concern for peaceful life of residents.
