Yesterday(August 27, 2011) the quiet city of Orumiyeh became turbulent for a few hours. The city lies near lake Orumiyeh (in the Azerbaijan province), one of the largest lakes in the middle east. The important body of water is drying up due to neglect by Iranian authorities.
The Azeri-speaking people of this city held peaceful gatherings to protest against the destruction of lake Orumiyeh and the lack of consideration by Iranian parliament members and officials to save it.
Gatherings occurred on August 26th and the 27th but were suppressed by police and plainclothes agents. The police used teargas to disperse the people who had grown angry from the police officers’ interference that led to the injuries of numerous people. The police force even attacked Motahari hospital to arrest injured protesters. According to eyewitness reports, protesters set two motorcycles belonging to the anti-riot forces on fire.
The protest gatherings, which were held on the main streets in the city, took place following the invitation by Azerbaijan civil rights activists to protest the parliament’s rejection to the urgent bill to “irrigate lake Orumiyeh”. Violence broke out when security forces interfered to disperse the people. According to HRANA, at least 12 citizens have been injured by tear gas or violently attacked by anti-riot forces. Numerous people were also reportedly arrested and detained.
According to reports, the city’s internet speed has dramatically decreased. Iranians already have a difficult time accessing the Internet on a regular basis.
August 27: Clashes between people and regime forces in Orumiyeh
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HRANA also reported that the main clash occurred on Imam Street but was drawn to Atai and Askarabadi streets because the police and security forces had attacked the protesters.
In an earlier incident during last year’s wrap up of the Persian New Year festivities (I.e. Sizdeh Bedar) in April 2010, security agents attacked and arrested Azari environmental activists and citizens who had gathered at lake Orumiyeh to demonstrate against the lake drying. Security agents sprayed tear gas and hurled stones at anyone who managed to gather and arrested numerous of them. Additionally, security agents physically attacked families who were visiting the lake for a picnic and prevented them from crossing the bridge. Vehicles that attempted to access the lake from different routes were issued tickets by the police.
In a symbolic move, people brought along water and poured it in the lake to show their objection to the regime’s policies that have caused the lake to begin drying up.
Source : Persian2English
Report by Davood Eftekhar and Maryam Nayeb Yazdi