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Reinforcements Reportedly Sent After Kazakh Violence Leaves 10 Dead |
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Saturday, 17 December 2011Kazakh authorities are reported to have sent troops and armored vehicle reinforcements into a western town in a bid to reassert control after violence between striking oil workers and government forces reportedly left at least 10 people dead.
The violence occurred on December 16 in the town of Zhanaozen, in the Mangystau region, when police reportedly tried to clear the town's main square, which has been occupied for more than six months by hundreds of workers of an oil facility controlled by state-owned KazMunaiGas.
The workers of the Uzenmunaigas firm have been protesting for better salaries and working conditions.
The violence occurred as Kazakhstan was marking the 20th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union.
In a statement, KazMunaiGas Exploration Production said some Uzenmunaigas employees had failed to show up for work because of safety fears arising from the violence.
The statement, quoted by the Reuters news agency, said Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry was providing armed security at key oil production units. The statement said the firm was maintaining daily oil production levels by keeping employees working round-the-clock.
Earlier, Kazakh Prosecutor-General Askhat Daulbayev said 10 people had been killed as a result of what he called the "mass disorder."
Speaking to reporters in Astana, the prosecutor did not say who had been killed or how, but said some buildings had been set ablaze.
"As a result of the mass disorder, the buildings of the town administration, a hotel, and the administration building of Uzenmunaigas were torched. Property of private persons and companies was also destroyed. Cars were burned and ATMs plundered," Daulbayev said.
Interior Minister Kalmukhanbet Kasymov who has arrived in the city said the situation in Zhanaozen is under control and around 70 people have been arrested. He said 75 people had been taken to hospital and six police officers were among the injured.
Kazakh Internet users have reportedly been unable to open independent news websites or Twitter, and phone service to the region was said to be disrupted. |
Saturday, 17 December 2011
RFE/RL
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