DUSHANBE, October 7, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- The Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense (CES) under the Government of Tajikistan has sent assistance on behalf of the government to residents of Rasht district.

The assistance, including building materials and fuels (totaling 80 tons), has already arrived in the district, the source at a CES said.

According to him, the assistance is intended for five families whose houses were destroyed during a special operation carried out in the district to hunt down illegal armed gangs.

“Three houses were destroyed completely and two others were partially damaged.  This assistance is intended for rehabilitation of residential buildings of people living in Kamarob Gorge,” the source noted.

The October 4 RFE/RL item titled “Worries Grow As Tajik Government Continues Operation Against Militants” reports that resident of Rasht district says the lack of information is causing panic and rumors among villagers.  Saltanat, who lives in the village of Kochon, near Kamarob, and also didn''t want to give her surname, told Radio Liberty that "three or four houses and a few barns were burned" in the latest clashes.  "Everyone had run away to hide when [the military operation] took place, so there was no one to put out the fire," she adds.  Officials in Dushanbe have promised that the owners of destroyed properties will receive compensation from state.