Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan ? As a crowd of thousands mourned the Kyrgyz protesters shot dead by police, many expressed hope Friday that the bloody revolt would bring a better government to the impoverished Central Asian nation. Some said they were counting on Russia’s help.

Flights, meanwhile, resumed at the U.S. base just outside the capital after being halted Wednesday during the uprising. Manas is a key support center for the international military campaign against the Taliban in nearby Afghanistan, but many in Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic, resent the Americans’ presence.

Covering their eyes and folding their hands in prayer, families and friends sobbed for the lives that were lost in the sprawling Ala-Too Square, where protesters were fired on during an opposition rally as some stormed the main government building in Bishkek, the capital.

Deposed President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who fled the capital to seek support in his clan’s southern power base, was a focus of their anger.

“We grieve over our heroes. They are real heroes who have sacrificed their lives for the future of Kyrgyzstan,” said Khatima Immamaliyeva, a 44-year-old office worker holding a red carnation and crying. “Bakiyev must bear responsibility for the deaths.”

Another mourner, 26-year-old Azimbek Sariyev, said “my friend Talas perished. I hope he hasn’t died for nothing. We have ousted Bakiyev, and won’t allow the rulers to mock us.”

At least 76 people died in the violence and more than 1,400 were injured, the Health Ministry reported Friday. That figure included 67 people injured overnight in clashes between looters and security forces.

Bishkek was eerily quiet late Friday, with few cars on the streets. Residents turned out the lights to avoid drawing gunfire.

Maj. John Redfield, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, said normal flight operations at Manas had resumed Friday but that officials were temporarily diverting flights carrying troops.

“Decisions on conducting other, non passenger-related, flight operations from the base will be made on a case-by-case basis,” Redfield said.

Officials said they expected the passenger flights to be diverted for only a few days. Until then, troops are being shuttled in and out of Afghanistan using the U.S. base in Kuwait.

Some 1,100 troops are stationed at Manas, including contingents from Spain and France, in support of NATO operations in Afghanistan.

Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the opposition’s self-declared interim government, said Friday the base agreement will be continued at least for the near future. Opposition figures in the past have said they wanted to close the U.S. base, located at the international airport serving the capital.

Russia, which also maintains a military base in Kyrgyzstan, had pushed Bakiyev’s government to evict the U.S. military. But after announcing that American forces would have to leave Manas, Kyrgyzstan agreed to allow them to stay after the U.S. raised the annual rent to about $63 million from $17 million.