"The ministry has worked out a large-scale plan of measures to ensure order during the New Year holidays, and it is being carried out step by step. Special groups are working in the festive venues in the capital, regions, towns and districts to ensure public order, maintain calm, fire safety and the observance of traffic rules. Interior agencies are also continuing measures to prevent illegal sale of pyrotechnic devices," Maj-Gen Abdulla Qoldoshev, deputy interior minister of Uzbekistan, said in an interview to an UzA correspondent.

He also said that over three billion pyrotechnic devices had been seized during checks and raids, as well as 675 people had been called to account for attempting to illegally sell pyrotechnic devices.

Qoldoshev also called on people "to contribute to ensuring peace in the country and to value today’s peaceful life".

Uzbekistan will celebrate the New Year on 1 January.