Ukraine unrest: Policemen allowed to use firearms

An overnight truce declared by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich and the opposition leaders failed within hours after fresh violence and fighting claimed the lives of at least 21 people in capital Kiev on Thursday.

Zee Media Bureau/Supriya Jha Kiev: As an overnight truce declared by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich and the opposition leaders failed within hours with at least 21 people being killed in fresh violence in capital Kiev, Britain on Thursday summoned the Ukrainian Ambassador to London. According to the Reuters, the Britain called the Ukrainian envoy over the latest flareup in violence in Kiev`s Independence Square. "We are calling in the ambassador and calling on him to stop the violence," said a foreign ministry spokeswoman. Also, Acting Interior Minister of Ukraine Vitaliy Zakharchenko, has issued a statement saying that the police will now bw allowed to use firearms `in accordance with the law`, reported the BBC. Blaming the unrest entirely upon the opposition and the radicals, he stated, "I signed an order and police have been given combat weapons, which will be used in accordance with the law". Earlier, the chief city administrator of Kiev,Volodymyr Makeyenko, quit the President`s ruling Regions Party in protest against the bloodshed, reported the BBC. In a statement issued, he said, " "I am addressing you personally, Mr President, and leaders of security services. Events in Kiev today are a tragedy for the Ukrainian people. "I am ready to do all I can to put an end to the killing of brothers and bloodshed at the heart of Ukraine, Independence Square... To confirm this, and take personal responsibility for Kiev`s functioning."

Also, the death toll since the start of week has been pegged at 54 by the AFP new agency. Also, Ukrainian Interior Ministry has blamed the protesters for the violence saying that at least two policemen had been killed and more than a dozen inured. Protesters hurled petrol bombs and stones driving away the riot police from a corner of the central Independence Square.They also appeared to have been captured several uniformed officers, said reports. Police responded with stun grenades. BBC earlier reported that five dead bodies were spotted in Hotel Ukraine`s reception area. However, another news agency reported that several had been killed in today`s clashes where petrol bombs and water cannons were used. Meanwhile, the three EU foreign ministers are currently meeting with the President Viktor Yanukovych, the BBC report quoted officials as saying, contradicting an earlier report that the EU diplomats had returned without holding talks, for security reasons. The truce was agreed upon Wednesday night when President Viktor Yanukovych met opposition leaders and a deal was reached for "the start to negotiations with the aim of ending bloodshed, and stabilising the situation in the state in the interest of social peace," said a statement on the presidential website. However, the clashes between the protesters and the riot police continued on Thursday as live rounds were reportedly fired in Kiev`s Independence Square where 28 have been killed in last two days. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry and the Kiev city state administration have urged people to avoid travelling to the centre of the city for security reasons, Interfax-Ukraine reports. Thursday is said to be a crucial day for Ukraine as angered by the "unjustified use of excessive force by the Ukrainian authorities," the European Union has called for targeted measures against Ukraine that would include travel bans and trade and political sanctions. According to the BBC, the three EU foreign ministers, that of France, Germany and Poland are meeting President Viktor Yanukovych before they are to attend a meeting of 28 EU foreign ministers in Brussels. "The European Union will respond to the deterioration on the ground, including via targeted measures," European Council President Herman Van Rompuy had said in a statement. However, the president will be spared the sanctions to keep open a channel of communication, the EU official said reportedly. Also, the United States has condemned the clashes in Kiev, and imposed travel ban on 20 top Ukrainian officials. The tensions erupted in Ukraine since last November when the President pulled out of a trade deal with the European Union, apparently under Russian influence. After that, the Ukrainian government took measures to subside the protests by passing amnesty law for protesters. However, the clashes were reignited on Tuesday when the government supporters blocked the protesters, who were rooting for curbing the President`s constitutional powers. Fierce clashes ensued with the riot police hurling smoke bombs and stun grenades at the protesters. At least 28 people were killed in a span of two days. According to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry, 10 police men and two traffic policemen were also among those killed.