Tashkent: Uzbekistan’s President Shaukat Mirziyoyev on Saturday declared a month-long state of emergency in the Karakalpakstan autonomous region affected by protests. Protests broke out in the area a week ago against plans for constitutional reforms. Whereas President Mirziyoyev has said that the autonomous status of the Karakalpakstan Autonomous Region will remain intact.
President Mirziyoyev said that there will be no change in the legal status of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, news agency ANI reported. We will certainly build a new Uzbekistan and a new Karakalpakstan together. According to the official order, the emergency will remain in force from July 3 to August 2. In this order, it has been announced to impose control on movement in the province and all public events have been banned. Along with this, the movement of vehicles in the area has also been controlled.
President Mirziyoyev visited Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan province, where protesters attacked government buildings. The protesters demand that the autonomous status of Karakalpakstan should not be changed. Media reports said those protesting in Nukus also demanded the release of a local blogger who appealed to protest against the proposed constitutional amendment.
The people of Karakalpakstan fear that constitutional reforms could end their province’s autonomous status. Security forces have been deployed to maintain law and order in Nukas, the capital of Karakalpakstan. At present, peace has been established there at this time. The officials are clearly telling the citizens that violation of the law will not be tolerated. Along with this, work is also going on to consider the appeal of the citizens.
