Grenade attack in Ukraine parliament kills security guard: Violent protests break out against giving more autonomy to rebel regions

The efforts of Ukraine government to solve the secessionist violence in eastern Ukraine, spearheaded by allegedly Russia-backed rebels have sparked gruesome violence in front of the parliament.

According to reports, the agitating protesters killed a national guard on Monday when they were revolting against the government move to accord more autonomy to rebel-dominated eastern regions. The parliament was considering a bill that was part of the reforms contained in the peace plan that sought an end to fighting in eastern Ukraine.

In the clashes that took place outside the Ukrainian parliament, more than 90 security personnel were also injured, reports Vice News. The protesters numbering around 100 were affiliated to the far-right Svoboda party. The populist Radical Party and the ultra-nationalist Svoboda party are opposed to any kind of concession to the Russian-backed separatists.

The drone footage of the standoff showed columns of police holding back a violent crowd in front of the parliament. Many in the crowd wore masks and brandished metal shields and clubs. One of the protesters lobbed a grenade on the police and that led to a pitched battle between the agitators and police.

Explosions

According to a BBC report, many protesters tried to pull the policemen away from their lines and beat them up. They also snatched their shields and helmets. In between the scuffle, there were moments of calm, but clashes kept erupting again and again. The report said many explosions were also heard from the area.

Ukrainian President, Petro Poroshenko described the parliament violence as “a stab in the back.” Inside the parliament, there was a heated debate with 265 MPs out of 450 backing the first reading of the decentralisation bill for more powers to areas of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Unjustified violence

Ukraine's Interior Minister Arsen Avakov blamed the Svoboda leader, Oleh Tyahnybok for the violence.

"Tell me, how does Svoboda differ from the bastards who shoot at our national guard at the front?” Avakov said. He added, “No political differences can justify what you did outside the Rada today,” Avakov said.

In an angry reaction, the Svoboda party accused the Poroshenko government of pushing a constitutional change provoking Ukrainians to protest. The party called the draft bill as a “capitulation to the Kremlin.”

In February, a truce was agreed between the Ukraine government and the rebels in the east with a precondition that Kiev will cede greater powers to the Russian-speaking regions. Already the fighting between the official forces and rebel fighters has left more than 6,800 dead and it heightened tensions between Russia, the EU, and the U.S.

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