Residents of Tajik border village of Khojai Alo, which is subordinate to the Tajik northern city of Isfara, gathered in the Shar-Shara area on April 17 to protest against construction by Kyrgyz of a bridge over the Isfarinka River at the head water distribution facility in the Shara-Shara area, which belongs to Tajikistan, a source within the Isfara administration told Asia-Plus in an interview.  

“Fortunately, here were no shootings and the territory is now under the control of Tajik border guards,” the source said.

According to him, negotiations between the sides are under way and traffic along the Isfara-Vorukh highway is partially restricted.  

Meanwhile, residents of Khajai Alo village reported a shootout in that area.  “Besides, residents of Buston (formerly Chkalovsk) told us that they did not have water, maybe it is interconnected,” Khojai Alo residents said. 

“We did not have water on Saturday.  We called the city administration and the official on duty said the Kyrgyz cut off the water in the direction of Ovchi Qalacha area.  Perhaps the two events are related,” a resident of Busotn told Asia-Plus in an interview.  

Currently, residents of Buston have drinking water.

Authorities of the two countries have not yet commented on the incident.