Kyrgyzstan: 17 killed, 200 injured duriing Osh unrest

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Kyrgyzstan: 17 killed, 200 injured duriing Osh unrest

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11 June,2010 07:13 pm

At least 17 people were killed while 200 others were injured in Kyrgyzstan's second-largest city Osh, stoking fears of ethnic conflict. The interim government declared a state of emergency.The conflict took place between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz natives. Several cars were set on fire by the youth. Hundreds of youths fought with steel bars and set shops and cars ablaze in what the interim government, led by Roza Otunbayeva, described as a local conflict possibly sparked by an argument in a casino. Most casualties had gunshot wounds. At least 40 people were critically injured. The turmoil in the impoverished former Soviet republic fuelled concern among regional players Russia, China and the United States. The country hosts both a Russian and a U.S. military base.The army chief has called for people to remain calm. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members meeting in Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent have also expressed concern over the situation prevailing in Kyrgyzstan.