Kazakhstan: UN urges for peace & conversation amid demonstrations over fuel price hike

As unrest in Kazakhstan has led to huge protests due to fuel price surges, United Nations has voiced concerns about turmoil in nation and has called for restraint. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, "We are obviously following with concern and are monitoring situation in Kazakhstan," Xinhua reported.

UN spokesperson went on to say that he believes it is crucial for all parties who are involved in present events of conflict to display restraint, avoid violence, and support conversation in order to solve all of present problems. Stephane Dujarric furr ted that UN has a country office and or officials in Kazakhstan, and amid violence, UN personnel have t faced any security threats. 

Kazakhstan President intends to "act as tough as possible"

As environment in Kazakhstan grows very stressful, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared on Wednesday that he intends to "act as tough as possible."

On January 5, he signed a presidential order accepting Kazakh government's resignation. As per media reports, hundreds of protestors flooded streets of nation for four consecutive days on Wednesday to deunce growing price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), forcing nation's government to resign.

In retaliation to massive disturbance, administration proclaimed a state of emergency, but protestors turned violent, assaulting government buildings and seizing police vehicles. In addition, Kazakhstan is currently suffering from a complete internet shutdown after Kazakhtelecom, country's biggest telecommunications company, cut off internet access on Wednesday afteron. Because Kazakhstan exports oil and natural gas, substantial price hike had upset Kazakhs.

Furrmore, after Kazakhstan President Tokayev's call for assistance to Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member nations, it was anunced on night of January 5 that "peacekeeping forces" from a Russia-led military alliance would be dispatched to Kazakhstan to support Tokayev in reclaiming control.

As per Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, CSTO, which comprises Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, would send troops to achieve stability in Central Asian country. 

(Im: AP/Twitter/@ANI)