Hundreds block Kyrgyz highway to protest mining operations
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 28 August 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Hundreds block Kyrgyz highway to protest mining operations, 28 August 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/542ac6bbc.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 28, 2014
By RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service
Dozens of vehicles have reportedly been stranded on the highway by the protest.
Hundreds of residents of a village in northern Kyrgyzstan have blocked a highway to the capital, Bishkek, to demand an end to iron-ore mining in the area.
A local official, Omur Nogoev, told RFE/RL that the protesters say mining by the RedMet Company could damage the environment.
He put the number of protesters at 300, while activists said there were 800 people protesting near the village of Voznesenovka village in the Chui region.
Dozens of vehicles have reportedly been stranded on the highway by the protest.
RedMet officials were not available for comment.
Separately, dozens of residents of the northern city of Tokmok picketed a construction of a new oil refinery.
They say that the refinery's operations, scheduled to start in weeks, would harm the local environment.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
