The heritage has left its mark

    Their main demand was access to drinking water for the complex, built on Bishkek’s eastern outskirts. Residents say that despite a water supply network installed two years ago, authorities have failed to provide water. Over 3,000 people live without it. Only a few can afford to transport and store water in canisters, vats, and barrels.

    Protesters demanded a meeting with Prime Minister Almazbek Atambaev, pinning hopes on him as the October District administration has been unable to resolve the issue despite numerous complaints.

    “Ruhiy Muras” recently came under Bishkek’s jurisdiction, while nearby settlements belong to Alai District of Chui Province. As a result, part of the water supply infrastructure is managed by district authorities, and part by the city, leaving both Alai District and “Ruhiy Muras” residents without water. Locals believe Alai District village heads deliberately shut off wells from city residents, while villagers blame city dwellers for building homes that disrupted the old water system.

    Two weeks ago, Bishkek Mayor Isa Omurkulov told our newspaper in an exclusive interview (see “MSN,” August 26, 2011) that funds for “Ruhiy Muras” had been allocated, and clean water would soon flow. However…

    October District head Oleg Popikov arrived at the protest site. After lengthy negotiations, he persuaded residents to clear the road, promising to address the issue within two weeks.

    Meanwhile, road blockades by housing complex residents pressuring authorities have increased recently. In early August, “Ak-Zhar” residents blocked a bypass road near the capital, followed soon by “Muras Ordo.”

    Zamir OSOROV.

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