DUSHANBE, February 24, 201, Asia-Plus  -- An operation, dubbed “Order,” that was carried out in Dushanbe from January 15 to February 15 this year has revealed 581 residents of other regions of the country that were living in Dushanbe illegally, according to the Ministry of Interior (MoI).

The Interior Ministry spokesman Mahmadullo Asadulloyev says all internal migrants who were living in the Tajik capital illegally have been deported to places of their permanent residence.  “In all, 361,424 people, including 1,296 foreign nationals, have been inspected and 24 foreigners that were living in Dushanbe illegally have been handed over to law enforcement authorities for further deportation of them to their countries,” the spokesman said.

According to him, 235,677 places of possible residence of foreign nationals and stateless persons (hotels, apartment, private houses and dormitories) have been inspected during the operation.  “Besides, 15 criminals wanted by police have been detained and 138 crimes have been solved during the operation,” Asadulloyev said, adding that two assault rifles Kalashnikov, two Makarov pistols and four hunting guns have been seized in the operation.

Initiated by the Dushanbe municipal government, the operation was aimed at revealing Tajik nationals from other regions and foreigners living in Dushanbe illegally, without appropriate registration or residence permit.  According to the Dushanbe municipal authorities, one of objectives of the operation was also in revealing unauthorized use of housing stock in Dushanbe by visiting citizens.

The raids were made by representatives from the law enforcement agencies and other relevant government bodies.