Kazakhstan: 164 killed in protests, property worth 175 million damaged, says government

A total of 164 persons have been killed in protests that have taken place in Kazakhstan in the past week, the country’s health ministry said on Sunday, according to AP.

The protests in the Central Asian country have been taking place against rising fuel prices, and have since expanded to reflect other causes for discontent as well. The cost of liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG, used in several vehicles in the country, has doubled after a price hike at the beginning of the year.

The majority of the deaths (103) during the violence have been reported from Kazakhstan’s largest city of Almaty.

It is unclear whether the 164 fatalities are only of civilians or whether security personnel are also included. Earlier, authorities had said that 26 “armed criminals” and 16 security personnel had been killed during the protests, AFP reported.

The health ministry on Sunday said that property worth about 175 million euros (about Rs 14.76 billion) was damaged during the protests. It alleged that over 100 businesses and banks were looted and over 400 vehicles were damaged.

Meanwhile, the office of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that the situation has stabilised in all parts of the country, but added that security forces were continuing “cleanup” operations. Authorities have got back control over administrative…

Read more