DUSHANBE, July 24, 2013, Asia-Plus — Recurrence of the events that took place in Khorog, the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) last year will be ‘geopolitical suicide’ for Tajikistan, Tajik expert Parviz Mullojonov told Asia-Plus today, commenting on the consequences of the Khorog events.
According to him, he has conducted survey and a number of interviews on GBAO and has drawn the following conclusions: 1) image and popularity of the central authorities have considerably declined among residents of GBAO, especially youth, after the government military operation; 2) ordinary people did not understand what for the operation for the arrest of several persons involved hundreds of troops, armored personnel carriers and combat helicopters. This caused shock and feeling of injustice, because many people decided that the operation is aimed not against criminals but against the population itself; and 3) the operation had a converse effect. Instead of isolating former field commanders, the operation strengthen their social basis and popularity, especially among the youth.
Mullojonov further added that the situation in Gorno Badakhshan and around it remained indefinite despite a general stabilization.
“There are many rumors, for example, about a certain list of 60 or 80 persons, against whom the law enforcement authorities have allegedly instituted criminal proceedings,” said the expert. “To add to these problems, some officials and “official” political scientists are making thoughtless statements in the central media. These statements cause various rumors not only in the region but also in Dushanbe about the authorities’ plans to carry out the “second phase” of the operation. All this causes nervousness and uncertainty of the future. Such an atmosphere may become breeding ground for political provocations from abroad.”
