Tactical exercise for officers of the police directorate in the northern Sughd province was conducted in the territory of military unity 3501 in Khujand last week.  Police officers reportedly rehearsed suppressing possible protests.

The exercise scenario was based on a group of protestors opposing power outages and police officers detaining active participants of the unauthorized rally and dispersing other participants of the rally with tear gas and water cannons.

According to information posted on the Interior Ministry’s official website, the exercise was aimed at maintaining public order and protecting the life of residents as well as protecting public and state property during rallies and protests.  

The Interior Ministry’s website notes that after the report on the exercise was broadcast on TV, some social networks perceived the exercise as a real situation.