Photo courtesy of aktau-business.com
Zhanaozen town in Mangistau oblast will not be celebrating the Independence Day December 16, no festivities will be held, Interfax-Kazakhstan reports.
“A solemn meeting will be held December 13. No street festivities will be held on December 16”, the town officials told Interfax-Kazakhstan journalists.
Zhanaozen-based mosques held special services to commemorate those killed in riots December 16, 2011.
“The bereaved families received over $6 500 each”, the town officials said.
Last year Zhanaozen and Shetpe village in Mangistau oblast were a scene to riots resulting in 15 deaths, with more than 100 people badly injured. The riots followed a 7-month-long industrial action by oilmen demanding higher wages and better living conditions. Instigators of the riots have been sentenced to prison terms.