Human rights groups have accused Kyrgyz security forces of beating and torturing their own citizens as they hunt for suspects involved in June's violence, which killed more than people.

Especially ethnic Uzbeks are said to be targeted in the police's violent campaign.

But local commanders say their men are neither involved in torture - nor defending the Kyrgyz majority.

Al Jazeera's Robin Forestier-Walker reports from the city of Osh.