DUSHANBE, December 3, 2014, Asia-Plus -- During his working visit to the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda has got acquainted with work of Interior Ministry’s offices in Darvoz, Vanj, Rushan and Shugnan districts, according to the Interior Ministry’s website

Yesterday, Rahimzoda met in Khorog with OMON (special police unit) servicemen.  A new building of OMON was put in commission in Khorog in early November during Prime Minister Qohir Rasoulzoda’s visit to Gorno Badakhshan.

Yesterday afternoon, Rahimzoda met with GBAO Governor Shodikhon Jamshed and got acquainted with the pace of construction of a new building for the Interior Ministry’s office in Khorog.   

We will recall that during the May violence in Khorog fire was set to the buildings of the regional court, prosecutor’s office and the Khorog police department as well as private house, cars and cables of Tajik Telecom.

Clashes in Khorog on May 21 left three people, including a police officer, dead and at least seven people, including three police officers, injured.

The fatalities occurred during a police offensive against suspected criminals and ensuing clashes between security forces and local residents upset with the police action.

At least one person was killed and two injured on May 24 when the protesters attacked the building of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS)’s office in Khorog, using a grenade and firearms.

Hundreds of protesters spent two nights in tents in the center of Khorog on May 23-24, demanding an investigation into the deadly clash on May 21 and the resignations of the local police chiefs and prosecutor.  They left the central square of Khorog after civil society activists and authorities agreed on May 25 to investigate the deadly shooting followed by violent protests.     

Local authorities have reportedly estimated a total damage caused by the May violence at some 11 million somoni.