AKIPRESS.COM - The killing of a villager in South Kazakhstan region has triggered violent protests, reports RFE/RL.

The regional police department said the riots in the village of Yntymak late on February 5 left several vehicles burned down and a number of houses damaged.

The violence erupted after a local resident, Bakhytzhan Artyqov, was found dead with stab wounds near the neighboring village of Bostandyq on February 4.

Officials said another local resident, Navmetdin Narmetov, who is suspected in the killing, remains at large.

A Police officer in the region told RFE/RL by phone on February 5 that "a misunderstanding between local Tajiks and Kazakhs" had caused the disorders.

Local authorities said the situation in Yntymaq has returned to calm after troops and police forces were deployed to the village.