President Kasim-Zhomart Tokayev said that in Aktau, where the protests began due to increased prices for liquefied gas, the government commission began work, which includes employees of the administration of the head of state. He wrote about this in his twitter -Akket.
Tokayev also noted that the republican operational headquarters operate on an ongoing basis. He said that the Commission should find a mutually acceptable solution to the problem in the interests of ensuring stability in the country. The law enforcement agencies are entrusted to prevent violations of the order, Tokayev added. In addition, the President urged demonstrators to show responsibility and readiness for dialogue.
After the start of the protests, the central government had to intervene. On the night of January 3, Tokayev said that he ordered the government of the republic “urgently consider the situation in Zhanaozen, taking into account the economic feasibility, in the legal field.” In turn, the Cabinet announced the establishment of a commission to consider the socio-economic situation in the Mangystau region and promised to implement a package of measures to resolve the price of liquefied petroleum gas. Also, in relation to the owners of the refueling, an investigation was launched for a price conspiracy.
Protests in Kazakhstan began in the morning of January 2 in Zhanaozen and other settlements of the Mangystau region. Motorists demanded to reduce the cost of liquefied gas, which increased dramatically from 60 to 120 tenge (from 10.2 to 20.5 Russian ruble) per liter.