Tajikistan more often experiences social discontent against the worsening economic situation and the electricity crisis. People no more trust the authorities. The recent rally in Khorog which gathered more than 500 people showed that people are afraid of their own troops and other law-enforcement bodies instead of expecting protection and shelter from them. It is an alarming situation.

More than 500 people gathered on June 18 in front of the government building in Khorog, the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in eastern Tajikistan’s high mountains. They were protesting news that the government had sent additional troops to the region with a plan to arrest local leaders.

It might not be the case but our “valiant” law-enforcement bodies have already hurt they reputation in Kulob when they launched a massive military operation against a bunch of people, which could be arrested without victims among the civilians.

Badakhshan residents say they are fearful the government is preparing a crackdown similar to one last month in the southwestern Kulob area, which is also experiencing rising costs for basic goods. In May, the Tajik government sent troops into Kulob to capture a local figure the authorities claimed was a major drug trafficker. The troops captured the man, but several local residents died during the operation

The rally was stopped when the Head of the regional police department talked to the protestors and promised to reduce the number of soldiers who were transferred to Khorog earlier. However the protestors promised to come back if their requirement is not fulfilled.

Today AsiaPlus reported (rus) that the leader of the protestors has announced two main requirements to authorities.

“Firstly, the additional troops, which cause tension among the population should leave Badakhshan till 20th of June; secondly, we demand the resignation of the regional public prosecutor Rashid Gulmadshoev, who is guilty for instability in the region; and thirdly, the session of the local parliament should be held as it was planned on 20th of June and the parliamentarians should discuss the current social and political crisis in Badakhshan” – said the head of regional branch of Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan.