More than 2,000 rally in Kyrgyzstan as unrest persists, 2 officials attacked

Kyrgyzstan unrest persists; 2 officials attacked

JALAL-ABAD, Kyrgyzstan — More than 2,000 supporters of Kyrgyzstan’s deposed president have rallied near a southern town wracked by ethnic violence as unrest persists in the Central Asian country.

Several residents told The Associated Press the acting defense minister and a regional governor were attacked and briefly held hostage Thursday outside Jalal-Abad.

The town was rocked Wednesday by ethnic clashes that left two dead and more than 70 injured, prompting authorities to boost military reinforcements and announce a two-week state of emergency there.

The interim authorities that came to power after President Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s ouster last month have earned widespread popular acceptance. But unrest has persisted around Bakiyev’s former stronghold in the south.