Uzbekistan withdraws troops from Karakalpak region

Military and armoured vehicles have been withdrawn from Nukus, the administrative centre of Uzbekistan's Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, since the morning of July 6.

Nukus was the scene of mass protests on July 1-2 over the central authorities' attempts to revoke the autonomous region's constitutional right to secede from Uzbekistan, according to the Fergana agency.

"The night passed quietly despite the fact that the city residents feared a rally might be held by opponents of amendments to the Uzbek constitution on the evening of July 5. A gathering of police and security forces was observed in downtown by the evening. In the morning, the military and armoured vehicles left the capital of Karakalpakstan," the website said. It added that special units of the National Guard continued guarding certain administrative buildings.

"As locals predicted the day before, the city is gradually returning to its normal life. Public institutions, including kindergartens, resumed their work. Shops and catering establishments, which closed several days earlier, have reopened. However, there is still no internet in the city. The banks are carrying out their operations only with cash, but there are no queues at ATMs," the website also said.

According to official reports, at least 18 people were killed and 243 others injured during the anti-government protests in Nukus on July 1-2.

The situation was brought under control after the Uzbek president declared a month-long state of emergency there until August 2 and pledged not to change the constitution's articles regarding the region's sovereignty and its right to become independent.