Clashes between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in the south of Kyrgyzstan in 2010 could have led to irreparable consequences, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov said on Friday in Bishkek on the occasion of another anniversary of the conflict.
"The bloodshed took place, mothers and fathers shed tears, children were orphaned and women were widowed. The most dangerous thing is that these tragic events could have undermined the integrity and unity of our homeland," he said.
According to him, at that time in the southern regional centers of Osh and Jalal-Abad, " destructive forces as well as separatists" attempted to undermine the unity of the people of the republic.
"Seeking to destroy the future of our state, they stoked the fire of conflict," the president is sure. According to him, this tragedy clearly showed that all residents of the country "must be careful in their actions for the sake of the integrity of the state." "These events made every Kyrgyz citizen feel responsible for the fate of our country," Zhaparov believes.
In his opinion, the protection of interethnic unity and harmony in Kyrgyzstan should always be the focus of the country's leadership. "It is necessary to approach the implementation of the national policy in our country with care", he emphasized.
On the night of June 10-11, 2010, clashes between ethnic Kyrgyz and ethnic Uzbeks started in the south of Kyrgyzstan. As a result of clashes and pogroms in the regional centers of Osh and Jalal-Abad, 3,746 buildings were burned down, most of them completely destroyed. Material damage totaled about $80 million. More than 5,000 criminal cases were opened over the riots. As many as 3.9 thousand people were recognized as victims. Criminal responsibility was taken against 545 people. According to official information, during the riots more than 400 people were killed, about 2.000 people were injured.
The interim government of Kyrgyzstan headed by Rosa Otunbayeva managed to stabilize the situation about 15-19 June, 2010. She led the country from July 3, 2010 to December 1, 2011.
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Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS