PHOTO: 10 thousand people are ensuring order in Zhanaozen

10 thousand people are ensuring law and order in Zhanaozen, Tengrinews.kz reports citing the message of the town superintendent, head of Mangustau oblast Interior Department Amanzhol Kabylov. “Forces and vehicles of Interior Ministry, Defense Ministry and officers of the Interior Department have been mobilized to Zhanaozen. There are about 10 thousand officers,” Kabylov said. Road blocks were set in Zhanaozen, 7 around the town and 12 inside it. Security of the important facilities and public facilities (Kazakh gas processing plant, Kaztransoil, fuel stations, etc.) has specifically been provided for since 7:00 p.m. December 16. “The situation is stabilizing right now, road blocks and mass patrolling have their results. Being a superintendant, I can say that the security will be provided,” head of Mangistau oblast Interior Department said. According to Amanzhol Kabylov, he drove around the town and talked to the crowds accompanied by the regional governor. People, he says, are complaining about ‘pickiness’ of policemen. “It is for the first time that we have such a situation that the state of emergency is introduced in a town of Kazakhstan. And everything we do, we do for the first time. There are no other options though. We will be checking everyone until the situation stabilizes,” the superintendant said. 14 people died as a result of the clashes in Zhanaozen, dozens were wounded. On December 17 President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev declared the state of emergency in Zhanaozen.