A curfew imposed on the western Kazakh city of Zhanaozen in the wake of riots earlier this month will be extended, according to the head of a government commission tasked with restoring order in the city.
Umirzak Shukeev said local officials had requested extending the curfew, which originally was imposed on December 17 for 20 days.
Shukeev did not say how much longer the curfew would remain in effect in Zhanaozen.
At least 16 people were killed and more than 100 injured in the clashes between police and protesters, who included striking oil workers.
Authorities blame drunken hooligans for starting the violence.
Some in Zhanaozen and surrounding areas say police and security forces provoked the violence and used deadly force to disperse the crowd.
compiled from agency reports
Umirzak Shukeev said local officials had requested extending the curfew, which originally was imposed on December 17 for 20 days.
Shukeev did not say how much longer the curfew would remain in effect in Zhanaozen.
At least 16 people were killed and more than 100 injured in the clashes between police and protesters, who included striking oil workers.
Authorities blame drunken hooligans for starting the violence.
Some in Zhanaozen and surrounding areas say police and security forces provoked the violence and used deadly force to disperse the crowd.
compiled from agency reports
