Death Toll Rises in Soviet Asia Unrest
New fighting between ethnic Kirghiz and Uzbeks in Soviet Central Asia has increased the death toll to 212, and incidents of “sadistic cruelty” have taken place, state media reported Thursday.
The newspaper Rabochaya Tribuna said about 1,200 people have been hospitalized from violence since early June.
On Wednesday, 204 people had been reported killed in the fighting, which broke out June 4 in western Kirghizia in a land dispute between the ethnic groups, both largely Sunni Muslims who speak Turkic dialects.
Tass said Thursday, “Reports are still coming in of fights, arson and pogroms. Passing cars are being stoned. Barricades are being built.”
Tensions had eased during 40 days of mourning for those killed in the June fighting, but violence flared again this week.
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