BISHKEK, KYRGYSTAN (ANS) -- A Christian believer in the former soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan, where protesters are demanding the removal of President Bakiev and his family members from power, is asking fellow believers in the West to pray for the leaders, people, and the Church in that country.

Demonstrations in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan (Submitted photo).

CNN reports that at least 35 people have been killed and 400 wounded in fighting between demonstrators and police in Bishkek, the capital of this central Asia nation.

The network explained the fighting erupted amid political unrest between opposition forces and the government triggered by clashes in Talas, where some opposition leaders were arrested.

It also stated that Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev sent a decree to parliament for the imposition of a curfew as demonstrators clashed with police in Bishkek.

Landlocked and mountainous, Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest and China to the east.

Writing in an e-mail to ANS, the believer, who wised to remain anonymous out of concern for his safety, says: "As I sit in my home in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, I can hear the gunfire from just a few streets away.

"There are reports that up to twelve people have been killed, and at least as many seriously injured. The people are demanding the removal of President Bakiev and his family members from power."

The writer says there has not been this much unrest in Kyrgyzstan since the “Tulip Revolution” in the Spring of 2005.

"It was at that time that a violent revolution brought about the removal of President Akayev," the writer said.

The writer went on to say that discontentment has been growing rapidly as the costs of utilities have more than doubled, and in some cases quadrupled.

"Yesterday I learned of a new 'tax' has been announced on gasoline. Last night, leaders of the opposition were arrested, Temir Sariyev being detained as he arrived by plane from Moscow. Three others, Almazbek Atambayev, Omurbek Tekebayev and Isa Omurkulov, were also arrested.

"Television stations, newspapers, and some internet sites have been closed or blocked due to what U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon labeled as the repression of free speech and the media," the writer said.

The writer also stated that American soldiers at the U.S. Transit Center in Manas, 30 kilometers from Bishkek, have been put on high alert.

"Protests in Talas and Naryn, other major cities in Kyrgyzstan, are also being reported as violent. The Prime Minister announced on television that about 100 people were injured in an uprising in Talas last night," the writer said.

"As the crowds began forming in the center of Bishkek, I witnessed expensive cars speeding away as rocks and bricks descended upon them. Now smoke is ascending from burning military vehicles, which surround the 'White House.' I see wounded people being carried away, and those nearby tell me to let the world know what is happening."

The writer concluded that, "After having just celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus Christ this past Sunday, it is quite a reminder for us that true peace will never come to this world until the return of the Prince of Peace.

"Please join us in prayer for the nation of Kyrgyzstan, its leaders, its people, and for the Church."

** Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of ANS, is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. While in the UK, Michael traveled to Canada and the United States, Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany,and Czechoslovakia. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China,and Russia. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649,at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can donate online to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.' If you have a news or feature story idea for Michael, please contact him at: ANS Chief Reporter