Kazakh government resigns after violent protests

The Kazakh government has resigned after protests over an increase in gas prices turned violent in the country’s biggest city, Almaty.

About a 100 Police officers were injured in the protests and the Kazakh President accepted the government’s resignation on Wednesday. Stun grenades were used in an attempt to disperse the large crowds but they proved to be of no use.

The protests tarnished the country’s popular image of having control and being politically stable. The government’s resignation proves how unpopular it actually was and the scope of political instability in the country.

Kazakh President Tokayev has now ordered his Governors to reestablish the previous prices and told the government to subsidize rent payments for the poor.

The country had already declared a state of emergency and vowed action against all violent protestors. Curfews were imposed and according to Tokayev, the protestors began dispersing.

Tokayev has also accused local and foreign powers of fanning the flames. Security forces have started arresting demonstrators – being accused of inciting violence – violating the curfew.

Police have initiated a crackdown on protestors and arrested over 150 people. Although, no real measure has been taken to restore the old prices, Tokayev has claimed that the situation has improved.

State media is now being used to – put all the blame on “foreign forces” – call the protestors “foreign agents” and traitors.