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Kyrgyzstan's interim rulers face challenges
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Kyrgyzstan's interim rulers are facing renewed resistance and lawlessness less than two weeks after taking power. The tension came after pledges of fresh elections and reforms to restore order in the volatile Central Asian state.
Around 1,000 people gathered in the capital Bishkek on Monday, demanding the new authorities grant them land. They challenged the interim leaders to exert control over the country after April 7th's uprising ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
ISSA Omurkulov, Acting mayor of Bishkek, said, "Within a short period of time we want to create a proper political system, and hold elections as soon as possible and to have a new legislature. We think the country should be a parliamentary republic where the people would always be able to elect deputies or the president. The elected representatives would be responsible and directly accountable to the electorate."
Later in the evening, more political violence broke out on the outskirts of Bishkek, leaving at least one person dead and injuring eleven.
In Bakiyev's southern tribal stronghold, more than 2,000 supporters gathered in the central square in Jalalabad, to demand his return to power.
In Osh, about 1,000 police officers held a rally, demanding the resignation of the new Interior Minister and the release of convicted and detained police officers.
They said the new authorities had ignored the fact that many policemen had been killed during the April 7 uprising in Bishkek and demanded compensation for the relatives of officers who had suffered during the unrest.
As tempers rose, First Deputy Governor Kushbek Tezekbayev, accused of maintaining ties with criminal circles, scuffled with protesting police officers.
Meanwhile the foreign ministry of Kazakhstan said Bakiyev had left the country for an unknown destination.
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