In the etraps of Sakarchag, Ioloten, Turkmengala, Bairamali in Mary velayat and in its administrative centre the city of Mary the police and representatives of the local authorities are visiting those who arrange commemorative meals, weddings, sadaka (charity lunches) in an attempt to find out where they get so much bread and flour for the guests from.
The main national dish for the special-occasion events is “dograma” finely chopped flat bread, meat and onions simmered in broth. Usually a lot of guests are invited to these events and the host needs to obtain a sufficient amount of bread and flour to cook a meal.
The police officers urge the event host to inform them where he had obtained flour under the current deficit and sale restrictions?
One of the rural inhabitants told “Chronicles of Turkmenistan”: “I was hosting a sadaka.The police officers turned up and started interrogating and intimidating me in front of the people as if I am held accountable for the flour shortage in the country”.
According to him, the flour was partially donated by neighbours and family members whereas he purchased the rest.However, our interlocutor refused to disclose the name of the person who he purchased flour from out of fear that the seller might be persecuted.
“Chronicles of Turkmenistan” has previously reported that the deficit of bread is currently being recorded not only rural areas but also in Ashgabat.
Long queues for bread can be seen in front of all state-run stores with a limitation of one flatbread sold per person.