Protesters in Kyrgyzstan blocked the strategic Bishkek-Osh highway which links the northern and southern regions of the republic as a protest against the appointment of a new director of Kyrgyzneftgaz, 24.kg news agency reported on Tuesday.
Demonstrators are demanding the reinstatement of Kyrgyzneftgaz board chairman Kanybek Masirov.
The agency estimates the number of protesters in the several thousands. The police, in turn, argue that the protests have gathered no more than 500 people.
Protests have been ongoing for several months. Governor of Jalal-Abad Region Bektur Asanov said he would resign if he did not meet the protesters' demands to establish order in Kyrgyneftgaz.
On Monday, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev ordered the authorities to put the situation with the company into a legal framework and unblock the highway.
MOSCOW, May 31 (RIA Novosti)
