Death toll in Kyrgyz unrest rises to 82
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The Kyrgyz interim government granted shoot-to-kill powers to its troops and police to quell the unrest which has killed at least 82 people and injured more than 1,000 in the southern part of the country.
The continuing violence, the worst since the former president was ousted in April, has forced the interim government to declare a state of emergency in Osh and Jalalabad, two major cities in the south.
Armed gangs have been burning down the homes and businesses despite the curfews. Gunfire rang out Sunday in Osh and Jalalabad.
A resident in Osh told Xinhua through telephone that nearly every corner of the city was experiencing clashes. Debris after smashing and burning were seen in the streets.
Lethal force would be authorized to repel attacks against the authorities, stop the destruction of government and private property and protect civilians, the government said when it ordered a partial mobilization of the army.
"The violence, the number of pillages and massacres are growing ... If we do not take opportune and effective measures the unrest could become much more serious and descend into a regional conflict," it said in a statement.
Violence erupted in the Osh region overnight to Friday when hundreds of youths smashed windows, looted shops and set fire to cars in the city, prompting the government to impose a curfew and state of emergency.
The current clashes followed violence in May when supporters of ousted president Kurmanbek Bakiyev clashed with backers of the interim government in Osh and Jalalabad.
Kyrgyzstan is expected to vote on a new constitution later this month, followed by new parliamentary elections in October.
Interim President Roza Otunbayeva told reporters Saturday she had appealed to Moscow to intervene militarily.
"Since yesterday the situation has got out of control," she said. "We need outside military forces to halt the situation. For this reason we have appealed to Russia for help."
While the authorities on Sunday declared a second state of emergency in Jalalabad, Deputy Interim Minister Azimbek Beknadzarov said on national television that this had become necessary because the instability was spreading.
