Demonstrators have forced their way into a government building in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s biggest city, as rare nationwide protests that began over a sharp rise in fuel prices extended into the fourth day.
Armed with clubs and metal bars, protesters stormed into the mayor’s office on Wednesday, according to local news sources.
An Instagram live stream by a Kazakh blogger showed a fire blazing at the office and gunshots could be heard nearby. A crowd was seen gathering outside the building against a backdrop of stun grenade explosions, which were reportedly set off by security forces.
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More than 1,000 people were taking part in the demonstration, the AFP news agency reported, citing a correspondent at the scene. Almaty’s police chief, Kanat Taimerdenov, blamed the unrest on “extremists and radicals” who he alleged were attacking the city.
Taimerdenov said in a statement that the protesters had assaulted 500 civilians and ransacked hundreds of businesses. He added that police, National Guard and military units were involved in the security response.
In an attempt to quell the crisis, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who has blamed foreign “provocateurs” for the protests, sacked Kazakhstan’s government earlier on Wednesday and declared a state of emergency in Almaty and the surrounding province, with a curfew and movement restrictions.
A state of emergency was also later declared in Nur-Sultan. More than 200 people have been arrested nationwide in connection with the protests, according to the interior ministry.
But the moves appear to have done little to ease the unrest. (Aljazeera)
