DUSHANBE, June 20, 2008, Asia-Plus -- The rally in front of the government building in Khorog, the capital of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) is going on and according to demonstrators, the number of those gathered has reached 800 people. 

In the meantime, law enforcement agencies in Gorno Badakhshan have been put on a state of alert.  Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, chief of one of the GBAO law enforcement agencies said that the measures had been introduced in connection with ongoing unauthorized rally in Khorog.  

As it had been reported earlier, some 300 people gathered at the Vahdat Square in front of the government building in Khorog today morning again, protesting news that the government had sent additional troops.

We will recall that the demonstrators dispersed on June 18, vowing to return if their demands are not fulfilled.  One of their demands was to withdraw the additional troops sent to the region. 

The GBAO governor Qodir Qosim came out to meet with the demonstrators.  He asked them not to succumb to provocations.  He asked the demonstrators to disperse, assuring that additional troops transferred to the region will participate in protection of the national border.   

However, demonstrators refused to disperse and the rally is still going on.  

            Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, the rally organizers said that in the afternoon, the number of those gathered in front of the government building in Khorog has reached some 800 persons.  According to them, they will not disperse until the additional troops sent to the region are withdrawn.  The demonstrators are going to stay overnight at the square.