Report by Hima Sutha
In the span of a few weeks, the situation in Kazakhstan changed utterly. But why did this happen?
The government of Kazakhstan imposed a new policy in 2022 that has been up for discussion since 2015. After implementing this policy, liquified petroleum gas (LPG) prices increased to 120 tenges (20.46 INR). Alongside, the government removed the price caps (highest amount at which the fuel good could be sold) on the fuel, leading to a considerable increase in the price. The government stated that the rise in prices was due to the high demand for LPG gas.
The first protests began in Zhanaozen and then started all over the country. All the protests had the same demand- for the current government to step down and for a reduction in the oil prices. The protestors said that there would be an increase in inequality since the poorer are indirectly restricted from buying the gas.
The other thing being said is that the government is authoritarian. The current government is seen as a hand-picked group of people selected by Nursultan Nazarbayev, who has been a prominent leader of the country.
As a result of the protests, on January 5th 2022, the government resigned.
The president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, declared a state of emergency for two weeks in Almaty (the largest city in Kazakhstan) and Mangistau. Furthermore, Tokayev appointed the deputy prime minister, Alikhan Smailov, as an acting prime mister and announced himself as the country’s security council leader.
Tokayev ordered the present government to lower the fuel prices.
Due to the protests, many of the security forces were injured, and a few were killed. In addition, government buildings were destructed, and looting happened on a vast scale. The protests also led to a state of distress in Russia; Russia had to send in their military troops to restore peace and stability due to the request from the president. The Russian troops also helped in guarding the critical infrastructure in the country.
Tokayev also requested aid from Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), who also sent troops to the country and helped in protecting critical objects.
Tokayev reported that around 20000 gunmen (men involved in terrorist actions) attacked Almaty (the largest city in Kazakhstan). The Almaty airport was also taken over by them.
Therefore, on January 7th 2022, Tokayev summoned the army and the law enforcement authorities to use lethal action (destructive actions that can lead to death, such as firing) against the terrorists without warning. While addressing the public, he stated that the demands from peaceful protestors had been heard, and bandits and terrorists would be tracked down and face severe consequences.
Tokayev also blamed the media for instigating unrest in the country and informed them that they would take action against them if law and order were broken.
Many international leaders like the Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko have spoken to Tokayev. China and Russia have both supported Tokayev’s action.