POLICEMAN IN GRAVE CONDITION AS A RESULT OF VIOLENCE IN SLUMS

[14:13] 14/07/2006, Kazakhstan today
http://www.gazeta.kz/eng/art.asp?aid=77929

ALMATY. A policeman has been injured and hospitalised as a result of clashes between inhabitants of houses built on occupied territories, in "Shanyrak-1" district and the riot police. Tleukabyl Togandykov, chief doctor of the 4th city clinic, has confirmed this information.

"Yes, he is here, but we are not giving any further information," - Mr. Togandykov said. According to unconfirmed information, the policeman is in reanimation with thermal injuries.

According to "Shanyrak-1" residents, "one of the police was steeped in petrol and burnt."

This morning a cordon of 150 police undertook an assault against barricades constructed by the residents along the central street of the neighbourhood. People started throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails against the police. Besides, in the area of the construction site "School" local residents blew up four gas cylinders and burnt a fire truck.

There has not been any information about victims from among local residents. The clash continues.