“Daily life is returning to its tracks in the city” - Photo report from Nukus

It is true that when going to Karakalpakstan, many people imagine a destroyed city, people who are in a frenzy and suffering. But from the first steps, a completely different scene is witnessed. True, not everything is the same as before, but the situation is much better, people are moving freely on the streets, everyone is busy with their daily worries. The markets are crowded and most of the stores are busy.

Internet activity has not yet been restored, but some ATMs and social facilities are working, the central squares, the places where the demonstration took place are clean, nothing reminds of the riots.

The fact that there are only military personnel on the streets shows how serious the determination for peace is. It seems to emphasize that there is no way for disorder.

“The fact that foreign forces intervened in the beginning of the events and their rapid escalation is confirmed by a number of evidences. Despite the limited communication, the protestors moved in an organized manner at several points at the same time, they were supplied with alcohol and drugs, and the groups were clearly controlled.

Simultaneously, we are also monitoring the situation on social networks. Additional information will be provided upon completion of the investigation. But we can make a firm conclusion right now - these were not peaceful demonstrations,” the National Guard Colonel Zafar Alimov said at a press conference for media representatives.

Another sign that the protestors’ goal is an attack on the constitutional system and territorial integrity is that they wanted to announce Dauletmurat Tajimuratov as the leader of Karakalpakstan. They just followed his calls without any legal basis. Tajimuratov, who drew everyone’s attention to himself at illegal rallies, made speeches in the spirit of separatism about the secession of Karakalpakstan, wearing a new robe as a symbol of power.

Makhset Palimbetov, the leader of the Samanboy ovul citizens’ assembly in Nukus district, can give a general assessment of the situation:

- Representatives of Uzbek, Karakalpak, Kazakh, Tatar and other nationalities live in our neighborhood. Over the years, there was no discord between us. We were together in good times and in bad times. There had been a misunderstanding, our youth made a mistake being curious. We have always been supporters of peace.

Indeed, peace reigns today in Karakalpakstan, especially in the city of Nukus. Normal daily life is slowly taking its toll. The military has taken full control, documents are being checked when necessary, and clarification work is being conducted with those who went out on the streets at unspecified times.

The fact that no one came to the demonstration scheduled for July 5, which was announced many times, and the curfew rules were not violated means that the population has understood everything.

But still, it is felt that time is complete restoration of people’s trust. Passengers on the street do not want to give interviews in front of the camera, they are limited to more general statements. Nevertheless, everyone emphasizes one thing - let there be peace!