Saidjaffar Usmonzoda, the leader of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan (DPT) also member of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament), has proposed to declare martial law in the country due to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

He told Asia-Plus in an interview that he is currently in one of hospitals in Dushanbe undergoing treatment for COVID-19.  “At first, I was hospitalized on suspicion of contracted an acute respiratory infection but recently I was diagnosed with COVID-19,” said Usmonzoda.  “Now my condition is much better.”

DPT leader considers an iron hand is needed to combat the COID-19 outbreak in the country.  According to him, time has come to replace the head of the Republican Commission for the Prevention of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

“Chairman of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) Saimumin Yatimov could head the Commission and Dushanbe Mayor Rustam Emomali could be appointed deputy head of the Commission,”  Usmonzoda said.  

He also proposes “to use resources of Tajik oligarchs” in the fight against the novel coronavirus.