Authorities demand to hand over draftees in exchange for electricity

In some settlements and villages of Tajikistan, authorities are cutting off electricity to the population because the military draft plan is not being fulfilled.

Photo: Internet

On November 1, a source from the Kushonien district (formerly Bokhtar) of the Khatlon region, who wished to remain anonymous, told Azda TV that the district authorities, together with military enlistment office employees, made an announcement in the village mosques. The faithful and village elders were told that until they bring three young men of draft age, electricity supply would not be restored. However, after some time, they returned and organized a general meeting with the population, demanding 10,000 somoni (about 1,000 dollars) from each mosque in exchange for restoring electricity supply.

According to the source for Azda TV, a similar situation occurred in other villages of the city of Bokhtar.

“Today, the authorities have learned a new way to make money. If the draft plan is not fulfilled and there are not enough draftees, they cut off electricity to the population and demand that they send their children to serve in the army. However, later they return and cancel this decision in exchange for money. Usually, they demand up to 10,000 somoni from each mosque, and only after that do they provide electricity. In other words, they are getting money for nothing,” the source reported.

Another source from the Vakhsh district also confirmed this information to Azda TV. “We were not asked for money, but electricity has been cut off several times for several days without any visible reason. When we approached the authorities, officials said that if draftees from all villages are not sent to the army, electricity supply would not be restored. However, through the mediation of village elders and numerous discussions, electricity was provided,” he said.

Azda TV could not confirm from other sources whether such cases are occurring in other cities and regions of the country. Therefore, in order to supplement the report, the editorial team asks respected compatriots to inform us if such a situation has occurred in other cities and regions.