DUSHANBE, July 31, 2012, Asia-Plus — Over the past two days, illegal armed groups have surrendered more than 200 weapons, Mahmadullo Asadulloyev, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior (MoI), told Asia-plus Tuesday morning.
They have reportedly handed over to the authorities dozens of assault rifles Kalashnikov, sub-machine-guns, hand grenades, grenade launchers, shells, military uniform, bullets of different caliber and military first aid kits.
“The Ministry of Interior appreciates support of clerics, public and youth associations, local intelligentsia and residents of Khorog for the process of voluntary disarmament,” Asadulloyev said, noting that the process of handing over weapons will continue today as well.
Earlier, the Ministry of Interior announced that an amnesty would be offered to armed groups who surrendered voluntarily.
The process of laying down weapons began in Khorog Sunday night.
The clashes began in Khorog on July 24 when government forces launched a military operation against what it called “militants” following the murder of the regional security chief Abdullo Nazarov on July 21.
The authorities have blamed Tolib Ayombekov, a former warlord from the civil war, for the murder of Abdullo Nazarov.
Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reports that fighting that occurred in Khorog, the capital of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region last week has left at least 17 soldiers, 30 militants, and more than 20 civilians dead.
The authorities are still demanding that four people it considers responsible for the assassination be handed over to face justice.
Reports from Khorog say the regional capital is calm.
