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Uzbek city rocked by protests returns to normalcy, say authorities

Thursday, 07 July 2022 6:30 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 07 July 2022 6:30 PM ]

Uzbek service members are seen in Nukus, capital of the northwestern Karakalpakstan region, Uzbekistan on July 3.

Authorities in Uzbekistan say normal life has returned and order has been restored to the city of Nukus following violent protests in the country’s northwestern Karakalpakstan province last week.

Media reports said on Thursday that a group of reporters were recently taken to Nukus, the main city of Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic of Uzbekistan. The market was open and the streets were crowded with cars.

The reporters said they saw checkpoints in various parts of the city and near administration buildings, but there was no overwhelming military presence.

Uzbekistan's government says there have been several casualties among civilians and law enforcement personnel during the last week’s demonstrations against a government's proposal to revoke Karakalpakstan's autonomous status.

At least 18 people were killed, including four members of the law enforcement forces. The violence is the worst to break out since 2005 in the former Soviet republic.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has accused malicious foreign forces of instigating the violence. He said their aim was to create inter-ethnic conflict.

The president earlier said protesters had carried out “destructive actions” in the city of Nukus, throwing stones, starting fires, and attacking police.

Khamidjan Dadabaev, deputy commander of the National Guard, has said foreign citizens were among those detained. "Information about them is a secret of the investigation - it will be revealed later."

Some protesters were injured when they attempted to throw back smoke and stun grenades launched by police, which exploded in their hands, he said.

Uzbekistan rules out prospect of hosting US forces

Uzbekistan has firmly ruled out the possibility of US forces being stationed in the Central Asian country to purportedly combat terrorism in Afghanistan.

In an attempt to ease tensions, Mirziyoyev traveled to Nukus on Saturday and held talks with local lawmakers, pledging that changes regarding its status would be dropped from the proposed reform.

According to the president's press secretary Sherzod Asadov, the measure was being taken to “ensure the safety of citizens, protect their rights and freedoms and restore law and order” in the territory.

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