Ten killed in Kazakh Independence Day clashes

Ten people were killed in clashes between striking oil workers and police at a ceremony marking Kazakhstan`s Independence Day in the western city of Zhanaozen.

Astana: Ten people were killed on Friday in
clashes between striking oil workers and police at a ceremony
marking Kazakhstan`s Independence Day in the western city of
Zhanaozen, prosecutors said.

The buildings of the local administration, hotels and
energy firm Uzenmunaigas facility were set on fire in a
startling development in a country that prides itself on years
of energy-fuelled stability.

"According to preliminary information, 10 people were
killed as a result of the mass riots. There are also wounded,
including police," prosecutor general Askhat Daulbayev said in
a statement.

"The city hall, hotels, Uzenmunaigas offices were set on
fire. Private and corporate property was also damaged, cars
set on fire and ATMs robbed," he added from the capital
Astana.

In a rare move, state-controlled television aired footage
of the riots including of people darting around in panic,
highlighting the gravity of the situation.

Workers in Zhanaozen and other cities in the Mangistau
region on the Caspian Sea have been striking for months for
higher wages, in a highly unusual dispute for the Central
Asian state which prides itself for an ability to attract
foreign investors.

"There`s a bloodbath here. It was police that was
shooting," Omirbek Isabayev, one of the striking oil workers
from Uzenmunaigas, said in remarks broadcast on
Kyrgyzstan-based opposition Kazakh channel K-Plus.

Isabaeyev said between 15 and 20 people were shot dead.
K-Plus television channel said the government brought in
troops to the city which was now in a virtual lockdown.

It broadcast a video of what appeared to be the start of
the clashes when the oil workers in their work jackets stormed
the stage that had been erected for the celebrations.

They tipped over speakers and appeared to push officials
who had been preparing for the start of a concert. Dozens of
police then appeared on the scene.

Daulbayev said the clashes were provoked by an attack by
"hooligans" who assaulted police, turned over a Christmas tree
and set a police bus on fire. He said they used bats and
firearms.

A group of officials led by interior minister
Kalmukhanbet Kasymov left for Zhanaozen to prevent further
riots, he said.

Leader of the opposition party Alga, Vladimir Kozlov,
said in comments aired on K-Plus: "What has happened is not in
the interests of the oil workers."

PTI

Zee News App: Read latest news of India and world, bollywood news, business updates, cricket scores, etc. Download the Zee news app now to keep up with daily breaking news and live news event coverage.