Emergency in Kyrgyzstan as protests turn violent
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Protestors carry an injured fellow in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, April 7, 2010. At least 10 protesters were killed and scores of others injured when Kyrgyz opposition supporters, who were demanding the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, clashed with riot police outside the presidential office Wednesday. [Xinhua] |
At least 10 protesters were killed and scores of others injured when Kyrgyz opposition supporters, who were demanding the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, clashed with riot police outside the presidential office Wednesday, a police officer told Xinhua.
The police officer, Toktaim Umetalieva, said police shot dead some 10 people while trying to disperse thousands of protesters rallying outside the presidential office.
Meanwhile, Kyrgyz Interior Minister Moldomussa Kongantiyev was killed on Wednesday after being taken hostage by opposition protesters in the northern city of Talas, Russian news agency Interfax reported.
Kongantiyev was held hostage inside the building of the city's interior department after it was seized by protesters, according to local media.
The minister had been attacked in the northwest city of Talas and died on the way to hospital, a police source in the city told Xinhua reporter.
Kyrgyz First Vice Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov was taken hostage by protesters Wednesday at a square in Talas, witnesses told Xinhua.
According to the latest development, the country's national TV channels has stopped operation after protesters reportedly stormed into the national TV and radio building and took it over.
Earlier reports said at least 93 people have been injured when opposition protesters clashed with police outside the presidential office in central Bishkek Wednesday.
A Xinhua reporter, who reported from the clash scene, and other witnesses saw at least four civilians were killed in the skirmishes. Some other reports said at least 12 people were killed in the clash.
The Xinhua reporter, who was staying inside the presidential office after an interview with the prime minister earlier in the day, saw many protesters clashing fiercely with police officers outside the presidential office.
Police were seen firing warning shots into the sky and the crowd and explosions could be heard. Many protesters fought back by hurtling bottles and stones at riot police holding shields. Several vehicles were set on fire.
Outside the presidential office, police were blocking protesters and establishing a new security belt. The roads in the city center were closed and vehicles were forbidden. More police troops were rushing toward the presidential office, witnesses said.
Bakiyev has ordered a state of emergency in Bishkek and three other cities, local television reported.
Amid waves of opposition protests in the Kyrgyz capital and elsewhere, Bakiyev also ordered a curfew between local time 10:00 p.m. (1600 GMT) Wedneday and 6 a.m. Thursday (0000 GMT) in Bishkek.
The Kyrgyz parliament is scheduled to sit on Thursday. Sources told Xinhua that the parliament might convene an emergency session Wednesday night on the president's order.
Opposition supporters marched toward the presidential office in the city center from different directions in the morning. Some protesters seized quite a few police vehicles and drove them toward the presidential office.
The protesters were attempting to storm into the building, and were demanding negotiations with President Bakiyev and Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov. They threatened to occupy the presidential office if their demands were not met.
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