Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Jan. 7 / Trend D.Azizov /
Conflict on the Uzbek-Kyrgyz border is being provoked by Kyrgyz frontier guards, Uzbekistan's Committee on Protection of the State Border under the Service of State Security (SSS) press service reported on Monday.
According to the report, on January 5, 2013, the Batken Border Detachment of Civil Defence military guards at the Charbak frontier of Kyrgyzstan in violation of international law and inter-governmental agreements, independently and with no previous notification, started work on the installation of electricity poles. This took place on the territory of Uzbekistan near the Hushyar Sokh district of Ferghana region for provision of an energy supply to the Charbak frontier.
According to the press service, upon arrival at the frontier, Uzbek border guards explained to Kyrgyz guards that this territory belongs to Uzbekistan and demanded they stop the execution of the work.
The parties agreed to discuss the matter at a meeting of authorised representatives of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to be held on January 6 this year.
'However, despite existing agreements, the Kyrgyz side unilaterally and with no consent and being fully aware of the fact this territory belongs to the Republic of Uzbekistan, continued carrying out work on installation of poles for power lines in the above mentioned area. That led to a conflict between Hushyar village inhabitants and Kyrgyzstan frontier guards', the statement says.
The incident resulted in the Kyrgyz frontier guards firing upon and wounding of five Uzbek citizens, whose state of health is estimated to be extremely critical, the Uzbekistan Committee on Protection of the State Border press service reported.
At the scene Batken Governor Zh.Razzakov and Kyrgyz border representative in Batken area Colonel N.Kerimkanov admitted that the installation of poles was carried out in the wrong place and apologised pledging to move the poles into the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic.
'The reckless and unlawful acts of the Kyrgyz border guards have worsened the situation on the Uzbek-Kyrgyz state border. Currently, Uzbek law enforcement agencies have begun a criminal case and an investigation is being undertaken', the press service reported.