MOSCOW, Jan 6 (NNN-TASS) – “Dozens of attackers have been eliminated,” after they attempted to storm administrative buildings and the police department of the Kazakh city of Almaty, last night, it was reported today.
A total of 12 law enforcement officers have been killed and 353 others injured, in their clashes with the rioters in Almaty, said the report.
The “anti-terrorist” special operation continues in the city, and police urged residents and visitors to refrain from leaving home for their own safety, a report by Kazakhstan’s Khabar-24 TV channel, was quoted as saying.
Over 1,000 people were injured across Kazakhstan, with almost 400 of them hospitalised, as a result of the violent protests over the past days, said the report.
The protests, sparked by dissatisfaction over surging fuel prices, escalated yesterday, with protesters storming the main government building in Almaty, setting police vehicles on fire, and attacking the regional branch of the ruling, Nur Otan party.
The mounting unrest prompted the Kazakh government to seek help from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, which has decided to deploy peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan.
Earlier yesterday, Kazakh President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, signed a presidential decree, accepting the resignation of the government.– NNN-TASS
